Mannar mass grave skeletals to be sent to Florida lab

The Mannar mass grave excavation area has been expanded and excavations at the site has re-commenced after a brief break since December 21.

Excavations have been carried out for 122 days and 283 skeletal remains have been recovered from the Mannar mass grave so far. 274 of them have been placed in a special enclosure at the Mannar Magistrate's Court. It is suspected that among the skeletal parts are those of 21 children. Some of the skeletal parts were said to be bound by some form of metal like substance.

Six samples recovered from the mass grave were taken for carbon dating following approval from the Mannar Court, the official in charge of excavations Senior Judicial Medical Officer Shaminda Rajapaksa said.

He said the bone samples will be sent to a laboratory in Florida, USA for radio carbon testing.