Remains of Tamil girl found with blue school bag and toy at Chemmani mass grave

The skeletal remains of a young girl, discovered with a blue school bag and toy, have been formally identified as part of ongoing excavations at the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna, the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court heard on 15 July.

The skeleton, labelled S-25, was examined by Forensic Medical Officer Pranavan Selliah, who reported to the court that the remains belonged to a girl estimated to be between four and five years old. The child’s body was found alongside a blue book bag and toy.

The court also heard that two other skeletons, labelled S-48 and S-56, are suspected to be the remains of children. According to the forensic medical officer, these two skeletons showed similarities in both clothing and anatomical structure to S-25. The court has directed that further forensic examination be conducted on S-48 and S-56, and a comparative report submitted.

Trigger warning. Graphic images below.

Magistrate A.A. Anandaraja confirmed that a total of 65 bone fragments have been fully excavated from the Chemmani site so far - 63 from Forensic Site One and two from Forensic Site Two.

Reports from both Forensic Medical Officer Pranavan Selliah and Archaeology Professor Raj Somadeva were submitted during the court session. Professor Somadeva’s report pointed to signs of criminal activity in the area, noting that the bodies were not buried in a conventional manner. He also recommended further study to determine the full extent and nature of the mass grave.

The interim report on the second phase of excavations and details regarding the child’s remains were submitted to the court. Legal Officer Pranavan Selliah confirmed that the suspended second phase of excavations would resume on 21 July.

In light of requests from local Tamils, the magistrate granted the Jaffna District Bar Association permission to have two lawyers present in court proceedings in the morning and two in the evening. Only journalists and specialists directly involved in the excavation will be permitted to take photographs at the site.

The magistrate also stated that he would consider visiting the excavation site in the presence of a legal representative, following a request from Member of Parliament S. Shritharan.

The next hearing in the Chemmani mass grave case is scheduled for 6 August.