The government says further action over the Chemmani mass grave excavations will be taken in accordance with court orders, as the number of skeletons recovered from the site has risen to 565.
Responding to questions from journalists over the progress of investigations, Cabinet Spokersperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said eight skeletons and one bone were recovered on Monday (17), bringing the total number of skeletons recovered to 565, along with 45 bone fragments.
The minister said the current phase of excavations would continue until Aug. 19 and that all findings were being reported to the court.
Journalists also questioned the government over photographs released from the excavations, which they said appeared to show evidence of victims having been killed in an inhumane manner and buried without clothing.
The minister was also asked why authorities had not taken steps to obtain information from convicted former Sri Lanka Army Lance Corporal Somaratne Rajapakse, who has reportedly claimed that he could identify other locations where bodies may be located.
Responding to concerns over the pace of the investigation, the minister said further steps would be taken in accordance with court orders and that witnesses would be called in due course.
The minister said the government remained committed to transparency and wanted the facts surrounding the site to be made known to the public. (Newswire)