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49 skeletal remains: Mystery continues

15 December 2012 03:51 am - 15     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Detectives had exhumed some 49 skeletal remains from the backyard of the Matale Hospital.  

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) had voiced concern over the manner in which the victims had been buried urged the government to hold an inquiry into the tragedy because of the growing suspicion surrounding the mass grave.

Questions are being asked about the cause of death, how they came to be buried there, whether it was on a court order and who might have been involved in carrying out the burial.

Excavations are continuing in an effort to locate more bodies if there are any and the collection of evidence or clues that would held the detectives with the investigations.

Speculation is rife as to whether they were the victims of the 1971 insurgency or the 1987/89 turmoil in the country buried in this block of land.
There is also the possibility that the area must have been used as a cemetery during British rule.

The skeletal remains were unearthed when authorities began digging up a block of land to build a bio gas unit for the Matale Hospital. (SD)

  Comments - 15

  • weha Saturday, 15 December 2012 03:56 AM

    Seriously why waste time on investigating these?if it is some old thing dating back 20 30 years do we still have to investigate them? I mean aren't we too clinked on to the pass too much?

    Yuri Saturday, 15 December 2012 04:05 AM

    Call the White Van owner! he should knows better

    DN Saturday, 15 December 2012 04:06 AM

    By analyzing the duration taken to determine time period of this mass grave, there is high possibility of they were the victims of 1971 insurgency. If they were the victims of 1989 insurgency report would have release in next day

    Jay Saturday, 15 December 2012 12:00 AM

    I don't see the fuss... Anyway we won't know wht really happened here... the authorities can't solve a crime that happened yesterday with all evidence at hand wht makes people think they can solve one that happened several years ago... via DM Android App

    Lobo Saturday, 15 December 2012 04:28 AM

    Remains of unclaimed bodies?

    Hello Saturday, 15 December 2012 12:00 AM

    The white van comment was pathetically lame, obviously they have to do investigations into this. There is a mass grave behind a hospital? via DM Android App

    subbiah Saturday, 15 December 2012 05:46 AM

    Investigations should be conducted by a team of experts foreign countries. Nobody knows howmany such mass graves are in the country.

    OMG-Dallas TX Saturday, 15 December 2012 06:19 AM

    Waste of time.

    Kondebendapucheena Saturday, 15 December 2012 06:27 AM

    1971 insurgency or the 1987/89 turmoil both have to blame JVP...But .in 71 Thanks to Mrs.Banadaranayake lots boys and Girls rehabilitated ,but 87-89 most of them send in Tyre Crematorium thanks to UNP Leaders who were in power that time.

    Upul Saturday, 15 December 2012 06:31 AM

    Carbon Dating should decide the date of Burial.

    Dinesh Saturday, 15 December 2012 08:18 AM

    Weha.....will you forget if it was your sister went missing 30 years ago gang rape and buried secretly...... Will you forget if was your daughter went missing gang raped and buried secretly.....Will you forget if it was your son went missing torched and buried secretly.....You only have a picture in your home think that that person will return one day.....You give alms to a person who did not have a funeral because there was no body......This is what separate us from an animal and human...that is civilized humans....Are you a civilized human or an animal?

    Dinesh Saturday, 15 December 2012 08:25 AM

    If proper and independent Forensic investigation is done, the approx date of death can be easily identified. DNA test can also identify who are these victims.

    Now...the fingers can point to several people, including the main opposition party.

    Mason Saturday, 15 December 2012 12:47 PM

    Why are the authorities calm? Up to now no official comminique,

    SudhuGemba Sunday, 16 December 2012 05:25 AM

    Yes carbon dating should give clues as to whether the bodies were buried along the same few days, months and which year etc...

    saif Sunday, 16 December 2012 10:26 AM

    compare with the missing list , it may corelate


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