More human skeletal remains have been found at a former High Security Zone (HSZ) in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo, in yet another mass grave on the island.
The recent findings are part of the same remains that were initially unearthed in July this year, at the first roundabout after entering the Colombo Port from Chaithya Road in Colombo. The old post office and Sri Lanka’s naval base are also located in the same area.
The latest remains were found during an excavation of the access elevated highway. The first remains were found in July during excavation activities by a private firm involved in the construction linked to the Colombo Port City highway. According to the police spokesperson, the first remains were found buried six feet deep. Professor Raj Somadeva excavated the area following a court order. The Colombo Additional Magistrate was also present when the remains were exhumed.
This is not the first such grisly finding in the southern Sri Lankan capital. The Shangri-La green grounds in Colombo housed a reported mass grave, after skeletal remains were uncovered during the construction of the hotel in 2017. The British reportedly used the site as a cemetery and until 2012, it was also the headquarters of Sri Lanka’s Army.
Reports by the local press and NGOs suggest that there are at least 32 mass graves in Sri Lanka. No one has ever been held accountable for any of them.
