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Mannar Magistrate Court orders carbon dating for mass grave remains
Text and Pic by Dinasena Rathugamage
The Magistrate Court in Mannar has ordered that samples of human skeletal remains found in two mass graves be sent to Beta Analytics Inc. in Florida, USA, for carbon dating to determine key details, including the age of the graves.
The order was given last Wednesday (16) during the hearing of two cases related to the discovery of skeletal remains at a construction site near the Mannar Sathosa outlet and the Thiruketheeswaram area.
The court’s order came after lawyers argued that the facilities available in Sri Lanka were insufficient to accurately determine the gender, period, and cause of death of the remains. To ensure a comprehensive analysis, the court approved the dispatch of a limited number of samples to the USA for testing.
Additionally, the court instructed those further examinations, including carbon-14 dating, be conducted on the remains recovered from the mass graves. The magistrate emphasized the need for thorough scientific evaluation to establish the facts surrounding these discoveries.
The hearing of the cases was postponed to October 21 as three officials failed to present a complete report on the mass graves. The magistrate mandated that all relevant parties appear before the court on that date to provide necessary updates.
The discovery of the grave dates to May 2019 when construction workers unearthed a total of 318 bodies, including those of 18 children, at a site near the local supermarket Sathosa, along the A14 highway.
On an earlier occasion, six skeletal samples were sent to Beta Analytics for analysis, which dated the graves to between 1477 and 1719. However, investigators involved in the excavation and exhumation expressed skepticism, asserting that the graves could not have been more than 30 years old. The discrepancy highlights the need for further scientific testing to determine the truth behind these findings.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
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