DNA of missing persons relatives to be tested if Mannar Mass grave remains are from recent deaths : PC Peiris

The DNA of the relatives of missing persons would be tested if the radiocarbon dating test on samples from the Mannar Mass grave reveal that the remains are of those who had died recently, Office of Missing Persons (OMP) Chairman Presidents Counsel (PC) Saliya Peiris said.

The DNA tests would be carried out if required after the report on the carbondating test is submitted by Special Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Shamindra Rajapaksa before the Mannar Magistrates Court,

"The OMP had borne the cost for the daily excavation activities at the site and the sending of samples to the US laboratory for the carbon dating test" PC Peiris noted.

One of the resonsibilities that is legally vested with the OMP is to request permission from the Magistrates' to exhume bodies from mass grave sites, he further said adding that the OMP could only act as a supervisor in this process.

The future course of action would be decied after the team of officers led by JMO Dr. Rajapaksa who carried out the excavation submit a report before court based on the carbondating test report that has been sent from the US.

"If the tests reveal that the bone samples are of very recent deaths, then we would conduct DNA tests on the relatives of missing persons as the second phase of this excavation project" Mr. Peris said.