U.N. condemns killing in Sri Lanka

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- The United Nations strongly condemns the execution-style killings of 15 aid workers from the French organization Action Against Hunger in Sri Lanka.

The world body's country team called the killings "a totally reprehensible act" and is calling for an independent investigation and a cessation of hostilities between Tamil separatists and the government, U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters Monday at U.N. World Headquarters in New York.

The aid workers were providing assistance to survivors from the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

They were killed Aug. 4 in the northeastern town of Mattur, according to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Country Team for Sri Lanka, which is chaired by the U.N. humanitarian coordinator.

The aid workers, 11 men and 4 women, were found dead, lying face-down in their office compound, and were identified by their Action Against Hunger T-shirts, according to the organization, which has been active in Sri Lanka on and off since 1996.

The Sri Lankan army holds the Tamil separatists responsible for the killings, while the separatists blame the army.

U.N. Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery and former U.S. President Bill Clinton also expressed shock at the killings. The organization has halted all activities in the country.

"I hope that this wanton act will not deter the critical efforts of aid workers in Sri Lanka, who have operated with courage and determination under difficult circumstances," Clinton said in a statement.

The bodies have been recovered and are on their way back to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.