An airman was killed and three others were wounded in a landmine attack in north-eastern Sri Lanka on Tuesday, as relatives prepared for mass funerals of 17 aid workers killed during weekend fighting.
The Air Force trooper was on foot patrol when he was killed in the mine blast in the Morawewa area on Tuesday while heavy artillery attacks continued in the Maavilaru area where the government is fighting to open a canal blocked by Tigers.
Meanwhile, police recovered the bodies of 17 aid workers employed by the French Charity, Action Against Hunger (ACF), and autopsies were being conducted today, officials said.
The workers had been shot dead in the north-eastern town of Mutur where government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels fought fierce battles over the weekend.
Much of the close quarter combat at Mutur had died down on Tuesday, but shelling could be heard in the area.
The fighting erupted two weeks ago when the military moved to lift a water blockade imposed by the Tiger guerrillas depriving water to some 15,000 farmer families in the Trincomalee district.
Attempts by peace broker Norway to end the water crisis met with opposition from the Sri Lankan government on Sunday with the authorities saying they were not prepared to negotiate over water.
{{/usCountry}}Attempts by peace broker Norway to end the water crisis met with opposition from the Sri Lankan government on Sunday with the authorities saying they were not prepared to negotiate over water.
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