The sixth day of the second phase of excavations at the Chemmani-Sinthubathi area suspected mass grave site was carried out yesterday (2). A human skeleton, believed to be that of a child, was fully exhumed.
Attorney-at-Law Ranitha Gnanarajah, who is overseeing the excavation process on behalf of the affected families, previously identified by the presence of a school bag (UNICEF), was completely excavated on 1 July. During the process, a child’s sandal (Bata) and a toy were also recovered, raising suspicions that the remains are of a child.
Additionally, five more sets of skeletal remains were identified at the site. However, experts note that it is not yet possible to confirm with certainty that these are five distinct individuals. Multiple skeletons buried together were also excavated.
With these findings, at least 38 sets of human skeletal remains have been identified so far.
Attorney Ranitha Gnanarajah also raised concerns about several social media accounts creating AI-generated images of the skeletons, giving them a misleading human appearance. She warned that such actions could distort the findings and undermine the purpose of the excavation. Those attempting to derail the mission should be held legally accountable, she added, further noting discussions are underway regarding this.
Forensic pathologist Dr. K. Rajiva de Alwis and former Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Kalubowila Perera, who was also involved in the previous Chemmani mass grave investigation, were present at the excavation.
Meanwhile, an area earlier identified as a suspicious grave site by archaeologist Prof. Raj Somadeva has also been cleaned with the assistance of students from the University of Jaffna’s Department of Archaeology and the Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha. Excavations are expected to begin at that site as well. The seventh day of excavations is scheduled to take place today (3).
Attorney Ranitha Gnanarajah stated that discussions are underway to amalgamate the current Chemmani excavation with the original mass grave investigation conducted in 1999. During yesterday’s excavation, former attorney Clifford Perera, who led the 1999 Chemmani investigation, was present at the site and shared details from the earlier case.
Although the two cases are technically separate, efforts are being made to explore legal avenues to consolidate them, as requested by the families of the victims.