Chemmani archaeologists’ report questions clandestine grave claims
The archaeologist leading the excavation of the alleged Chemmani mass grave has told a Jaffna court that the site more closely resembles “formal burial practices” than a clandestine grave. This has been revealed in an interim report submitted to Jaffna Magistrate Court on 19 Oct. The report, “Forensic Archaeological Excavation in Chemmani, Jaffna (2025/2026): A […]
An interim report commissioned by Jaffna Magistrate Court on October 19 has questioned claims that the so-called Chemmani mass grave is evidence of clandestine burials. The report, authored by Raj Somadeva and Anusha Wanninayake, details 574 individuals, 51 distinct accumulations of disarticulated bones, and 170 artefacts. Roughly 41 percent of the dead were children, and 22 percent were infants.
While the report acknowledges insufficient evidence for a conclusive verdict, it emphasizes that the artefacts and contextual clues indicate a closer resemblance to formal burial practices rather than clandestine practices. The report suggests that if the burials were the result of an epidemic or natural disaster, the scarcity of grave goods might not be surprising.
The article highlights two skeletons, numbered 227 and 429, found in seated positions, noting that seated burial is documented in certain Hindu religious traditions. However, the posture alone does not establish a connection to specific religious practices.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
