The case regarding the mass grave at the Mannar 'Sathosa' site is set to be heard again in the Mannar Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, according to lawyer V.S. Niranjan, who is representing the Tamil families of the disappeared.
The case, first initiated after the discovery of the mass grave in 2019 during construction work, has been contentious. The site, which contained 318 bodies, including 18 children, is under investigation for possible links to war crimes or other atrocities. The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) reported that metal bindings, possibly used to tie victims' legs, were found at the site.
Skeletal remains were sent to Beta Analytics Inc. in Florida for carbon dating, which dated the grave between 1477 and 1719. However, local investigators, including Professor Somadeva, dispute these findings, believing the grave to be much more recent, likely tied to events in the last 30 years. These contradictions, along with delays and incomplete reports from medical officers, have raised concerns over transparency and whether justice for the victims will be served.
Excavations resumed under a media blackout last week and were led by Professor Raj Somadeva. Remains were packed and stored for further forensic analysis, which will reportedly help determine key details such as the period the remains belong to, their cause of death, age, and gender.
