The sixth phase of excavation at the mass grave site near the Chemmani Siththupaththu cemetery in Jaffna continued for the sixth day yesterday (03), with investigators identifying skeletal remains corresponding to 245 human bodies.

Attorney V.K. Niranjan, who represents the families of the missing persons, said that skeletal remains corresponding to 243 human bodies have so far been recovered.

The sixth phase of excavation work at the Chemmani mass grave began on April 27 under the supervision of Jaffna Magistrate S. Lenin Kumar.

Officials stated that the fifth phase of excavation at the site was halted on September 6, 2025. By the end of that phase, skeletal remains corresponding to 240 human bodies had been identified, of which remains of 239 sets were recovered.

Excavation officials further noted that the sixth phase was initiated based on findings from prior scan reports of the site.

The excavation is being carried out under the supervision of Jaffna Magistrate S. Lenin Kumar, with participation from a team of experts including Senior Professor Raj Somadeva of the University of Kelaniya’s Department of Archaeology and forensic specialist Dr Selliah Pirunavan of the University of Jaffna.

Recovered skeletal remains and artefacts are currently being held by the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Jaffna, under court orders. (Newswire)

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