Sri Lanka Investigates "Mass Grave" in Northeastern District

Tuesday began an investigation by Sri Lankan authorities into a claim Tamil Tiger rebels executed 26 captured government soldiers at the height of fighting between the two sides last year.  

Military experts and police investigators had been sent to the northeastern district of Mullaittivu Monday following reports of the grave, according to military spokesman Udaya Madawala.

Tiger suspects had told investigators that the 26 were shot dead in the final stages of fighting, which finished in May last year.

Both sides deny each other accusations of war crimes. 

Close to 30 000 people were killed in the fighting according to the United Nations. The defeat marks the end of the Tigers and their 37-year-old-campaign for a Tamil homeland.

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