The results of radiocarbon dating tests conducted on five of the six bone samples from the mass grave in Mannar in Northern Sri Lanka sent to a laboratory in the U.S was received on late Friday (15), Dr. Saminda Rajapaksha, Mannar Judicial Medical Officer and the Chief Investigating officer said.
Six human bone samples obtained from the Mannar mass grave under the observation of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) were sent to the Beta Analytics in Miami, Florida, USA for radiocarbon dating to determine the time periods in which the deaths occurred.
Dr. Rajapaksha said the report of the carbon dating results will be submitted to the Mannar Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (20). Results of the sixth sample are yet to come, he said.
Dr. Rajapaksha said he received the results through the internet and a court will be sent a written report by courier.
Skeletal remains of 315 people and human bones have been unearthed from the mass grave located at the sites of the old Sathosa Building in the Mannar town. Out of those, skeletal remains of 307 individuals have been systematically removed and currently sealed and placed in a special chamber at the Mannar Magistrate’s Court complex. Among the bones found are skeletal remains of 26 children.
The report of the carbon dating results, along with results from other examinations carried out by the investigation team headed by Dr Rajapaksa, will help address key questions, including if these human remains are from one or multiple historical periods, the OMP said.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
