Bone fragments found from abandoned well in Mannar

Mannar police have confirmed that two bone fragments have been found from an abandoned well in the Thiruketheeswaran area, near the site of a mass grave where the skeletal remains of 96 persons were unearthed earlier. 

Several civil society organizations had petitioned the Mannar District Court stating that skeletal remains of persons who had been killed were suspected to have been dumped inside this well. Accordingly, Mannar District Judge, A.J. Alexraja issued an order to conduct excavations at the site. These excavations commenced yesterday (1) and two bone fragments were subsequently recovered. 

The well is situated in close proximity to the site of the Thiruketheeswaran mass grave, where the remains of 96 persons were found dumped after it was discovered five years ago. 

It is still unclear if the bone fragments recovered yesterday belonged to humans or animals. They have been sent for forensic tests. 

Fresh excavations began at the site this morning with the assitance of the Mannar police. 

Story and Pix by Romesh Madhusanka 

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