This follows CID’s disregard for petitioners’ repeated requests to send the skeletal remain samples from the grave for carbon testing overseas.

That particular petition was filed in October 2015, and the magistrate ordered the CID to identity a suitable foreign laboratory.

A lawyer for the aggrieved party said they recommended internationally-reputed forensic science laboratories in Argentina, Peru and Guatemala.

However, CID officials informed courts of difficulties in sending samples to these countries with which Sri Lanka did not have direct diplomatic relations.

Petitioners’ lawyers said they had opposed previous offers by the CID to send the samples to China.

Skeletal remains of more than 80 persons were retrieved from the mass grave at Thirukethiswaran, found in December 2013.

Further digging was suspended after archaeology officials told courts it had been a cemetery in the past.

But, investigations resumed after relatives of missing persons in the area petitioned courts.