DNA tests to identify unrecognisable body parts

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said today that DNA tests would be conducted to identify the unrecognisable body parts that were recovered from the Meeriabedda landslide.

“Rescue operations to find the victims of the Meeriyabedda landslide are in progress and Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCOs) at the scene are taking samples of the unrecognisable body parts. DNA tests will be conducted to identify those body parts using modern technology,” he said.

He said the identities of the dead bodies would be ascertained prior to the issuing of death certificates and the payment of compensation.

Mr. Rohana said inquiries had been completed  as to whether officials had not carried out their duties properly and whether the people of the area had not been warned of the danger in time. He said  the president had requested a report on the matter.

He said statements had been recorded from 19 people including a geologist.

Mr. Rohana said the report would be handed over to the president after the return of police chief N.K. Illangakoon who is in Monaco.

He said its contents would be made public after it was handed over to the president.

He said 10 bodies and parts of three bodies had been found up to yesterday from Meeriyabedda rescue operations while 28 people were reported missing. (Ajith Siriwardana and Sanath Desmond)