The planned re-excavation of the Mullaitivu, Kokkuthoduai mass graves has become uncertain due to the non-receipt of government support as promised.
Responding to an inquiry made by Mullaitivu district journalists about the future situation of the excavation works, Kanagasabhapati Vasudeva, the forensic medical officer of the Mullaitivu district hospital, who is in charge of the recovery of the bodies, said that due to the lack of financial allocations, the excavation work has stopped.
“The Chief Accountant of Mulativu District Secretariat said that there are no funds. We are witnessing a situation where drilling activities are stopped. Laboratory test results may be delayed.”
The Office of Missing Persons (OMP) was promised money from the President’s fund.
After the completion of the excavation work on September 15, forensic archaeologist Prof. Raj Somadeva, who pioneered the investigation of the recovery of the bodies, said that the excavation work will be temporarily stopped for the analysis of the evidence found in the excavations.
“This examination has been stopped for a period of 2 months in order to systematically analyze the evidence that has been received. So, in this initial analysis, we are going to analyze the material evidence we have done and the material evidence we have done and give a report to the honorable court. After that, we are waiting for the honorable court to decide whether or not to continue this survey and investigation the decision will be made.”
Nine days after the resumption of the excavation work in the Mullaitivu, Kokkuthoduai mass graves, the remains of seventeen people were recovered, and the excavation work has been temporarily stopped.
An amount of nearly 57 lakh rupees had been allocated for the digging of mass grave
In a letter addressed to the Mullaitivu District Secretary on August 22 by the Accountant (Judicial Administration) in lieu of the Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Prisons and Constitutional Reforms entitled “Estimate for the Magistrate’s Inquiry into the remains of human remains found at Kokkuthuduai, Mullaitivu” it is stated that Rs 5,663,480.00 lakhs will be allocated.
On September 15, when the excavation work was temporarily completed, several evidences of suspected LTTE members were also found in the Kokkuthoduai mass grave.
Forensic archaeologist Professor Raj Somadeva states that it is impossible to give a definite opinion about what kind of incident this is.
Parts of human bodies and parts of clothes were accidentally found on the evening of Thursday, June 29, at a distance of 200 meters from Kokkuthoduwai Mahavidyalaya towards Kokilai, while the water supply department staff were digging the ground to lay water pipes.
Excerpt from The Leader
Source: Voice Tube
