Matale bones to be flown to China for testing

By Chrishanthi Christopher- Friday, 18 Oct 2013

The samples of the skeletal fragments found at the Matale mass grave last November are to be flown to China for a carbon dating test, as ordered by the Courts, after an 11-month delay.

It is learnt former Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) of Matale, Dr. Ajith Jayasena, will hand over the sealed container containing the bones to the officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at his present office in Kurunegala, next Monday (21). Dr. Jayasena, currently the JMO of Kurunegala, said the samples will be handed over to the CID officers in a sealed container, which will be taken to Matale and will be taken up as evidence when the Court meets on 4 November. “Following this, the CID is planning to send the samples to a lab in China for testing,” he said.

Dr. Jayasena said, his office has suggested that a scientist should be in charge of the specimens throughout the journey, but this offer remains the decision of the CID. However, he added, that it is not necessary that the specimens be conveyed by a doctor, as it is a judicial matter. He maintained that it is important to ‘maintain the chain of custody’ wherein it is ensured that the seals are intact when the specimens are presented in Courts and overseas. “If the seal is broken, then the samples become invalid,” he said.

He also said, although tests have been done on the bones locally, sending them for carbon testing is a requirement, following ‘the usual procedure.’

“Professor of Department of Archaeology, Raj Somadeva, has done an accurate test on the bones and given a precise range of time and we are positive that China’s results will coincide with his result,” Dr. Jayasena said.
Last November, a mass grave was discovered while excavating the backyard of the Matale Base Hospital where 154 skulls and a number of bone fragments were found.

Two bodies discovered in Wellawaya

By Kasun Ganewaththa-Friday, 18 Oct 2013

The body of 2 persons have been discovered from a forest close to the 6th mile post area along the Ella- Wellawaya main road at around 9 this morning, the Police Media Unit told Ceylon Today Online.

The bodies have been identified to be that of a 36 year old woman and a 40 year old man.

Investigations reveal that the woman is a resident of the Kadawatha area and the man a resident of the Hali-ella area in Badulla.

The cause of death and the means of death have not been identified as yet, while a stock of injections were found at the location where the bodies were discovered.

Police suspect that an affair between the deceased may have been the cause of death, as the husband of the woman had lodged a complaint earlier stating that the woman had gone missing.

The magisterial inquiry is being conducted into the death. (Ceylon Today Online)