Violence continuing in Sri Lanka: 2 workers killed

Action Against Hunger said the latest bodies were in the same seaside town of Muttur where the 15 others were found slain on Friday. The group has said it will suspend operations in the area, where it was helping to rebuild after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Photo: Violence continuing in Sri Lanka: 2 workers killed

Suspected rebels Tuesday ambushed a government patrol near an air force base, killing one airman and wounding two more, military spokesman, Maj. Upali Rajapakse said. One civilian was also hurt in the attack in Trincomalee district, about 215 kilometers (135 miles) northeast of Colombo, he said.

In other fighting Tuesday morning, the rebels "fired mortars at us and we retaliated," Rajapakse said. There was no immediate report of casualties from the artillery barrage.

The first set of bodies were found in a group, mostly laying face down and with bullet wounds, aid agency officials have said on condition of anonymity. The two additional bodies were found late Monday in a car, apparently killed while trying to flee the violence, the AP reports.

All the bodies have been identified, said Eric Fort, an agency official.

The slayings raised outrage internationally, and aid organizations demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice, the AP reports.