செம்மணி புதைகுழி விவகாரம் : இடைக்கால அறிக்கையில் ‘பெரும் புதைகுழி’ என்ற சொல் நீக்கம் – பேராசிரியர் ராஜ் சோமதேவ மீது சந்தேகம்!

Colombo Telegraph reports that archaeologist Professor Raj Somadeva submitted the third interim report on the Chemmani excavations to Jaffna Magistrate’s Court on October 19, 2026. Hiru News (தமிழ்) reports that the report removed the term “mass grave”; its supplied headline also expresses suspicion toward Somadeva, but provides no further explanation.

Colombo Telegraph says the report considers whether the accumulation of human remains could be linked to an epidemic, a natural disaster or customary religious burial practices. The outlet criticises those explanations and argues that the report does not adequately address forensic trauma, material evidence, local epidemiological and administrative context, or testimony presented in court.

Colombo Telegraph highlights two skeletons, numbered 227 and 429, found in seated positions. It says Somadeva’s report discusses Hindu ascetic burial traditions, including Samādhi and Jīva Samādhi, and describes skeleton 227 as being in a meditation posture. Colombo Telegraph says this interpretation conflicts with earlier forensic observations and court evidence, but the supplied report excerpt ends before it sets out those observations in full.