Radars to be used to find the extent of the mass grave in Kokkuthoduvai
Hi-tech equipment is to be used to find the extent of the recently found mass grave in Kokkuthoduvai in the war-ravaged Mullaitivu district in Northern Sri Lanka.
This was revealed as the third stage of excavation began after being suspended for over two months, which began on Monday the 20th of November in the presence of the Mullaitivu Magistrate Dharmalingam Pradeepan.
“The mass grave was cleaned and the excavation process started after removing the mud and the polythene covers.
We have decided to use Radar equipment to find out to what extent the mass grave exists” Dr. Kanakasabapathy Vasudeva, Judicial Medical Officer Mullaitivu and the in charge of the excavation told media persons after the first-day operation of the third stage.
“Based on the order of the court it was decided to find out to what length and breadth this mass grave exists and this will happen on the 23,24 and the 25th of this month,” he told further.
Forensic archaeologist Prof. Raj Somadeva had requested the court permission to use radars to find out if other graves existed near the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave case came up for hearing on the 30th of October about further excavation.
The excavation was suspended on the 15th of September after 17 bodies were recovered after an accidental find of the site when water pipes were being laid on the Kokkuthoduvai-Kokkilai road near the Kokkuthoduvai Mahavidhyalayam in June this year.
Senior Attorney and Jaffna district MP M.A.Sumanthiran who was present at a discussion chaired by the Mullaitivu Magistrate Dharmalingam Pradepan, told media persons before the commencement of the excavation that funds are available for two weeks of operation.
“With the funds released now, we were informed excavation could be carried for two weeks. Doubts have risen about body parts below and across the road in the land. It was also informed that considering this to be a long-term operation based on proper examination, the action for the release of funds from the President’s secretariat to the Government Agent will start today and the money will be released as such”.
The exhumation process was suspended on the 15th of September to analyze the evidence found till then, Forensic archaeologist Prof. Raj Somadeva the lead archeologist in the operation told then.
Seventeen skeletons were exhumed in the nine days of operation since it began. During that period, dog tags, and uniforms suspected to be that of female Tiger cadres including undergarments were found along with other evidence.
The Initial find of human body parts and clothing were found by employees of the water supply department while laying pipelines on the 29th of June this year. These were found at approximately 200 meters from the Kokkuthoduvai Mahavidhyalayam.
