Sri Lanka’s Mannar town is now the house of largest mass grave of over 230 skeletons

More than 230 skeletons have been discovered in a mass grave in Mannar town in Sri Lanka that has turned out to be the nation’s biggest such site. BBC reported the sayings of human right groups that “at least 20,000 people disappeared during Sri Lanka’s long civil war which ended in 2009.” The war between troops and separatist Tamil rebels, which continued for 26 years, left minimum 100,000 people dead.

A court ordered detailed excavations at the site – a former co-operative depot near the main bus terminus – after human remains were found by workers digging foundations for a new building earlier this year, BBC reported. However, there is no clarity on the recognition of the victims, their details and how they died.

According to a forensic archaeologist from the University of Kelaniya, Professor Raj Somadeva, they have excavated over 230 skeletons so far. Prof Somadeva further says that based on his experience this is the largest mass grave ever excavated.

“The bones are scattered and [it’s] very difficult to trace the stature of the bodies. And some bones were missing…it’s chaotic,” Prof Somadeva told the BBC.

Alongside the discovery of human skeletons, the archaeologists have also unearthed ceramic, porcelain and metal materials, including some jewelry worn by the victims.