Bodies found in Sri Lanka forest

Sixteen bodies have been found at a remote jungle location in government-controlled territory in Sri Lanka's Anuradhapura district.

One of the bodies was female, the rest male. Some were found with their hands bound behind their backs.

They were discovered in a decomposed state, in two separate grave sites.

Military spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara said a forensics team was on its way to Kabithigollewa village, 275km (170 miles) north of Colombo.

He said he could not comment further until the team had reported from the location on Friday.

Heightened hostilities

Local villagers told the BBC the bodies were found after farmers went in search of cattle that had strayed from the pack.

They found tyre tracks in the earth and followed them, fearing their animals had been carried away in vehicles.

This led to the discovery of two freshly-dug mounds of earth in the forest, containing the bodies.

Hostilities have heightened between Sri Lanka's government and Tamil Tiger rebels over the past two years.

The government announced last week that it was formally withdrawing from a truce deal that rising violence had already effectively ended.

The Tigers control a swathe of territory in the north of the island and are determined to fight for an independent state.