The excavation conducted at the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna on Sunday has unearthed several more skeletal remains.
In a new development, several personal effects have also been unearthed alongside the newly found skeletal remains. This is the first instance during excavation that other items had been unearthed near bone fragments.
During the 4th day of the second phase of operations yesterday, investigators found clothing, small glass bangles, and a blue cloth bag with English letters engraved near a skeletal remains approximately three feet in length.
Reports indicate the cloth pouch resembles school bags previously distributed as aid by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to schoolchildren in the North and East of Sri Lanka, suggesting that some of the unearthed skeletal remains could be those of children.
As of 29 June, the total number of human skeletal remains unearthed at Chemmani has risen to 33. Among them, 22 skeletal remains have already been exhumed and carefully preserved for forensic analysis.
Excavation operations are scheduled to continue today (30 June 2025). It is reported that areas identified through satellite imagery have been cleared, paving the way for further systematic excavation in the coming days.
Excavation at Sittupatthu in Chemmani, Jaffna began on 15 May following a court directive, after workers from the Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha discovered fragments of human bones on 20 February while clearing land for a construction project.
The work is being carried out by a team of archaeologists led by Professor Raj Somadeva. (Newswire/ Image – Loshan)