Skeletal samples excavated from the recently discovered mass graves below the old Sathosa building in Mannar will be sent for radiocarbon dating during the third week of January 2019.
The Chief Investigator, Dr Saminda Rajapaksha, who is also the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO), General Hospital, Mannar, a part of the excavation team from its inception will accompany the samples to the Beta Analytic laboratory in Florida, USA.
“Taking the samples from Sri Lanka to Florida is a complex process and, therefore, we are trying to avoid any complications or difficulties,” he said adding that the samples will be transported in sealed boxes and will be carried by him as hand luggage.
According to Rajapaksha, all airports will be informed. Excavations of the mass graves found at the old Sathosa building premises, was to be completed on December 21, 2018.
The investigators had excavated the mass graves for 120 days to date and identified 283 skeletons including 21 skeletons believed to be of children.