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Sri Lankan civilians found dead Sri Lankan civilians found dead
(about 3 hours later)
The bodies of 11 Muslim civilians have been found in a remote area in eastern Sri Lanka, the military has said.The bodies of 11 Muslim civilians have been found in a remote area in eastern Sri Lanka, the military has said.
The bodies of the men, who had apparently gone to repair an irrigation system, were found in Ampara district.The bodies of the men, who had apparently gone to repair an irrigation system, were found in Ampara district.
The government accused Tamil Tiger rebels of killing the men - the rebels condemned the killings and blamed the army for the deaths. Hundreds of angry Muslims gathered outside a mosque in Ampara where the bodies were displayed.
The government accused the Tamil Tigers of the killings, but the rebels have blamed the army, pointing out that they happened in a government-held area.
Months of heavy fighting have displaced more than 200,000 people in Sri Lanka. Hundreds have been killed.Months of heavy fighting have displaced more than 200,000 people in Sri Lanka. Hundreds have been killed.
Both sides have condemned the latest killings.
Friction
The military says the men had been working on a water project in Ampara on Sunday. When they failed to return home, a team went to investigate on Monday morning and found the bodies.The military says the men had been working on a water project in Ampara on Sunday. When they failed to return home, a team went to investigate on Monday morning and found the bodies.
Troops and rebels have fought fierce battles in recent months
"They had gone to renovate a sluice gate and went missing. They have been found dead, hacked and chopped," an unnamed military spokesman quoted by the Reuters news agency said."They had gone to renovate a sluice gate and went missing. They have been found dead, hacked and chopped," an unnamed military spokesman quoted by the Reuters news agency said.
Another man was injured, but survived the attack.Another man was injured, but survived the attack.
Increasing violence The BBC's Dumeetha Luthra in Ampara says that locals say there has been friction between the Muslim community and the Sri Lankan security forces.
Our correspondent says that many in the town accuse the Special Task Force (STF) of the killings, and now want the local police unit transferred immediately, along with a full investigation.
Sri Lanka's police chief is now in Ampara for talks with senior Muslim politicians, and our correspondent says that shows that the issue is being taken seriously.
Ampara district is home to a large number of Sri Lanka's Muslim minority - Muslims are the third largest community in the country after the Sinhalese and Tamils.Ampara district is home to a large number of Sri Lanka's Muslim minority - Muslims are the third largest community in the country after the Sinhalese and Tamils.
The BBC's Dumeetha Luthra in Colombo says that Muslims have been caught up in the increasing violence between the government forces and rebels. The Sri Lankan military is adopting its long tradition of blaming the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam for the atrocities it commits Tamil Tiger statement
Muslims have recently been caught up in the increasing violence between the government forces and rebels.
Tens of thousands were displaced from the north-eastern town of Muttur in July and August when fighting between the two sides forced them from their homes.Tens of thousands were displaced from the north-eastern town of Muttur in July and August when fighting between the two sides forced them from their homes.
Norway brokered a ceasefire between Sri Lanka's government and the Tamil Tigers in 2002 which is still technically in place, despite the violence.Norway brokered a ceasefire between Sri Lanka's government and the Tamil Tigers in 2002 which is still technically in place, despite the violence.
The two sides held a number of rounds of peace talks until the rebels pulled out in April 2003 saying they were being sidelined.The two sides held a number of rounds of peace talks until the rebels pulled out in April 2003 saying they were being sidelined.
The government and rebels did meet earlier this year for talks aimed at shoring up the ceasefire, but made no headway.The government and rebels did meet earlier this year for talks aimed at shoring up the ceasefire, but made no headway.
More than 60,000 people have been killed since the rebels began their fight the 1970s for a separate homeland for minority Tamils in the north and east.More than 60,000 people have been killed since the rebels began their fight the 1970s for a separate homeland for minority Tamils in the north and east.