Semmani Excavation Team & Responsibilities

The excavation is being conducted under court supervision with a multidisciplinary team:

- Jaffna Magistrate A.A. Anandarajah 

  Oversees legal compliance and authorizes forensic procedures.

- Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Pranavan Sellaiyah 

  Leads forensic recovery and biological analysis of remains.

- Archaeologist Prof. Raj Somadeva 

  Directs excavation strategy, site mapping, and artifact documentation.

- Colombo Forensic Team 

  Collects soil samples, conducts lab testing, and supports skeletal analysis.

- Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha Workers 

  Initially discovered the remains during construction in February 2025.

Equipment Used at the Site

The team is using a combination of archaeological and forensic tools:

- Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and satellite imagery to identify burial zones 

- Trowels, brushes, and sieves for delicate excavation 

- GPS mapping tools to log grave coordinates 

- Protective gear (gloves, masks, suits) for contamination control 

- Portable forensic tents for on-site analysis and preservation

Forensic Testing Methods

The forensic process includes:

- Osteological analysis to determine age, sex, and trauma 

- Carbon dating and soil chemistry tests to estimate burial timelines 

- DNA sampling for potential identification (pending lab capacity) 

- Artifact analysis (e.g. clothing, bangles, schoolbags) to match NGO aid records 

- Rapid DNA protocols aligned with updated FBI Quality Assurance Standards (effective July 1, 2025)

Sri Lanka has requested access to UN forensic labs but currently plans to conduct testing domestically, raising concerns about transparency.

New Discoveries (July 3–4, 2025)

- Total skeletal remains recovered: 40 

  - Includes at least 3 infants, one under 10 months old 

  - Some remains found in shared graves, suggesting mass executions 

  - Personal items recovered: blue schoolbag, toy sandal, glass bangles

- New excavation zone identified near the Sindhubathi cremation grounds 

  - Based on satellite scans and soil anomalies 

  - Court approved 45-day extension for continued digging

 Security of Excavated Remains

- Police officers are guarding the site 24/7 to prevent tampering 

- Court-ordered supervision ensures chain of custody 

- Remains stored in sealed forensic containers pending lab analysis 

- Civil society groups have demanded CCTV surveillance for transparency

MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam raised concerns about the adequacy of security and called for international oversight to ensure the integrity of the process.