The third day of excavation at the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave was marked by significant developments last Friday. Archaeologist Paramu Pushparatnam from the Department of Archaeology to the excavation team joined the team of archeologists working on the mass grave.

The 27th anniversary of the gang rape and murder of Krishanthi, along with the subsequent murder and cover-up of her mother Rasamma, her younger brother Pranavan, and their neighbour Kirupakaran, was commemorated in Chemmani.

A significant development emerged at the conclusion of the second day of excavation at the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave site. The Mullaitivu Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) revealed the discovery of pieces of metal, currently suspected to be remnants of weapons, alongside skeletal remains during the excavation conducted on September 7th.

In a press conference held at his home in Kalviyankadu, Jaffna, Sutharalingam Arunakirinathar revealed the 17-year journey of searching for his son, who was taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Army. Despite compelling evidence from two separate media reports indicating his son's presence in prison, Arunakirinathar has not only been denied access to his son but also witnessed his effective disappearance from all prison records.

In a press conference held during the ongoing excavation at the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave site on September 6th, T. Raviharan voiced his scepticism regarding the credibility of the excavation and exhumation process. He emphasised the need for oversight by international entities, including the United Nations, to ensure that the investigation into the origins of this mass grave follows established protocols.

Earlier this week, Channel 4 aired a documentary in which high placed whistle blowers exposed high Sri Lankan government officials, including the Rajapaksa family, as being the masterminds behind the Easter Sunday bombings of 2019. Following the British documentary carried out by Dispatches, Sri Lankan junior defence minister, Pramitha Tennakoon announced that a parliamentary committee would be appointed to investigate the allegations made in the British documentary.

Marc-André Franche, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, conducted a visit to Jaffna, where he engaged with various authorities, civil society organisations, and stakeholders to discuss pressing issues affecting the region.

Eastern University in Vantharumoolai, Batticaloa, marked the 33rd year of disappearance. This solemn event aimed to remember the 158 refugees from the Eastern University who were forcibly disappeared by the military.

The discovery of the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave on June 29th by workers from the National Water Supply and Drainage Board while replacing pipes in the area. What followed were a series of developments and delays in the investigation.

Following the incident's report to the police, Mullaitivu Magistrate Court Judge T. Saravanan visited the site on June 30th to assess the situation. Upon his inspection, Judge Saravanan ordered excavations to commence on July 6th.

India will provide 450 million Indian rupees to fund Sri Lanka's digital identity project. 

During a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, key stakeholders, including Presidential Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka, State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, Indian High Commissioner, Gopal Bagley, and First Secretary of the Indian High Commission, Eldos Mathew and others engaged in extensive discussions on the project’s execution.