Excavation work at the Chemmani mass grave site in Jaffna was disrupted by heavy rainfall on Friday, as investigators continued to uncover more human remains, including infant skeletons, during the latest phase of excavations.
The 11th day of the third phase of excavations commenced on Friday morning but was temporarily halted around midday after sudden heavy rain caused flooding within the excavation pits. Water that accumulated inside the burial trenches was later drained using gully bowser vehicles belonging to the Nallur divisional council, allowing excavation work to resume.
During Friday’s operations, one additional skeletal remain was identified, while two previously uncovered remains were fully excavated.
According to officials overseeing the process, a total of 260 human skeletal remains have now been identified at the Chemmani mass grave site, of which 256 have been fully excavated.
The latest developments follow Thursday’s tenth day of excavations, during which four new skeletal remains were uncovered and two previously identified remains were fully exhumed. Authorities stated that by the end of Thursday, 259 skeletal remains had been identified, with 254 fully excavated.
Investigators and forensic teams have increasingly uncovered infant skeletal remains over recent days, deepening concerns surrounding the nature of those buried at the site.
Several artefacts recovered during the excavation process, including jewellery items resembling nose studs and fragments of coins, have also been submitted to court as evidence. Officials stated that 14 items have so far been handed over.
Legal expert V. S. Niranjan noted that one skeletal remain identified earlier this week has not yet been officially numbered, as only the skull portion is currently visible. The remaining parts are believed to be trapped beneath the structure of the cemetery crematorium platform.
He stated that the remains would only receive an official identification number after sections of the crematorium structure are broken and the full skeletal remains are exposed and confirmed.
Niranjan further stated that excavation work scheduled for Saturday, the 12th day of operations, would only proceed for half a day. He added that if adverse weather conditions continue, officials may seek court approval to temporarily suspend excavations and resume operations at a later date determined by the court.