Sri Lanka's armed forces were involved in killing 17 ACF workers, says SLMM

A spokeswoman for ACF (Action Contre La Faim) said the ultimate aim of the probe should however be finding the killers of aid workers in Muttur, in August 2006.

The Sri Lanka government was urged to investigate the 'irresponsible behaviour' of ACF by the head of Sri Lanka Peace Secretariat (SCOPP).

In a letter sent to human rights minister, SCOPP chief Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe has suggested Sri Lanka urge EU for a probe into ACF's decision not to withdraw the workers from a dangerous area.

There is no doubt that such negligence, if addressed in a European court of law, would have resulted in the award of massive damages to the grieved families SCOPP chief

"There is no doubt that such negligence, if addressed in a European court of law, would have resulted in the award of massive damages to the grieved families," the letter sent to Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe stated.

Asked by BBC Tamil Service whether the ACF is 'worried' about a possible EU probe, the spokesman said: "No. We fully agree for an international independent investigation".

"The core issue however remains in finding and persecuting the perpetrators," ACF spokesperson Lutile Grosjean said.

International condemnation

17 aid workers of Action Contre La Faim (Action against Hunger -ACF) were found dead with gunshot wounds on 04 August as battle continued for the control over Muttur.

The core issue however remains in finding and persecuting the perpetrators ACF spokeswoman

Condemning the killing of the aid workers as a "war crime", the international community demanded an independent investigation.

The international truce monitors ruled that Sri Lanka military was responsible as the military denied access to monitors.

But the government accused Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) of being biased and said the Tamil Tigers were running the town at the time of the killing.