Description

Removal of journalists from the excavation site: On 8th September- the third day of excavation, Police obstructed and removed two journalists who were conducting interviews with the students from the Medical Faculty of the University of Jaffna who were observing the excavation and exhumation process. Subsequently, they also ordered all the journalists to stay outside the excavation site.

Preventing journalists from entering the site during work hours: From 11th of September - the fifth day of excavations of the mass grave, the journalists were not allowed to take photographs and videos while excavations were ongoing. However, they were allowed to photograph and video the site before excavation began each day and during the lunch break. Journalists questioned the motives behind these unexpected unexpected regulations, whether there is reticence in providing information regarding new discoveries. The excavation process was led by Mullaitivu Magistrate Court Judge T. Pratheepan, Professor Raj Somadeva, and Mullaitivu Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) K. Vasudeva, alongside the police forensics team. On the final day of excavation, several journalists reported that several military intelligence personnel in civilian attire were allowed to enter the site and to take photographs, even though journalists were not allowed.