New human skeletal remains, including those believed to belong to children, were uncovered on Friday during the fifth day of the third phase of excavations at the Chemmani mass grave site (May 1) in Jaffna.
Three additional sets of remains were identified during excavation work at the Chemmani Siththuppaathi site, bringing the total number of skeletal remains uncovered to 244. Of these, 240 have now been fully exhumed, while cleaning, documentation and preservation processes are ongoing for the most recently discovered remains, according to officials present.
Preliminary forensic observations indicate that at least two of the remains uncovered on Friday are believed to be those of children, underscoring the grave humanitarian significance of the site.
One set of remains, catalogued as number 235, was found without the lower portion of the body below the waist. Another, identified as number 234, displayed extensive trauma, including severe damage to the upper skull and fractures to the jaw.
Excavations at Chemmani continue under judicial supervision, with forensic teams systematically recording and analysing each set of remains as part of an ongoing investigation into one of the most significant mass grave sites in the North.