27-01-2008

Relatives' fail to identify bodies

Relatives of the missing people have failed to identify the bodies found dumped in a remote jungle in Anuradhapura.Two women and three men from Murunkan and Vavuniya have arrived in Anuradhapura with two representatives of Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph.

The Director of the Anuradhapura hoispital, Dr, Sarath Weerabandara, told journalist Athula Bandara that six bodies are thought to be dumped at least two weeks ago and other ten bodies may have been dumped about a week ago.

It will be very difficult to identify the bodies as they are in a decomposed state, Dr. Weerabandara said.

Decomposed bodies

Anuradhapura hospital authorities are to produce a report on the bodies to the judiciary on Monday.

Sixteen bodies have been found at a remote jungle location in government-controlled territory in Kebitigollewa, Anuradhapura.

One of the bodies was female, the rest male. Some were found with their hands bound behind their backs.

They were discovered in a decomposed state, in two separate grave sites.

Local villagers told the BBC the bodies were found after farmers went in search of cattle that had strayed from the pack.

They found tyre tracks in the earth and followed them, fearing their animals had been carried away in vehicles.

This led to the discovery of two freshly-dug mounds of earth in the forest, containing the bodies.

Sri Lanka military have accused the Tamil Tigers. The LTTE is yet to make any comment on the accusations.

Source-BBC