Twenty Years On, the Killing of 17 Humanitarian Workers Remains Unpunished
by Action Contre le Faim, Paris, June 15, 2026
Twenty years ago, on August 4, 2006, 17 staff members of Action Against Hunger, engaged in delivering humanitarian aid, were executed in our office in Muttur, Sri Lanka. They were wearing T-shirts and vests clearly identifying them as humanitarian workers. Despite compelling evidence pointing to the likely responsibility of Sri Lankan security forces, justice has still not been served.
Today, Action Against Hunger calls on the Sri Lankan government to open a new investigation into this case and to end decades of impunity. This investigation must be conducted in accordance with international procedures, particularly regarding transparency and witness protection. We call on the international community to support this request and to do everything possible to ensure that the truth about this crime is brought to light.
The Muttur massacre remains one of the deadliest attacks ever carried out against humanitarian workers. Action Against Hunger, along with several international bodies, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission and NGOs, have repeatedly concluded that this attack was likely committed by Sri Lankan security forces and that it was subject to attempts of concealment by the authorities.
“Twenty years on, we continue to fight for justice for the brutal murder of our 17 colleagues, who were killed while delivering vital aid. Many were at the beginning of their careers, and their families, like our colleagues, cannot accept that the perpetrators have not been prosecuted. This is essential for everyone to be able to rebuild,” said Perrine Benoist, Co-Director of Action Against Hunger France.
Families Still Waiting for Justice
For two decades, the victims’ relatives have lived with the pain of their loss and the absence of justice. One of them shared with Action Against Hunger:
“Even after 20 years, the pain of what happened is still present in my heart. I miss my brother. Those responsible must be punished.”
Another added: “This loss will make me suffer today and until the end of my days.”
Rising Attacks Against Humanitarian Workers
Humanitarian workers are protected under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and must never be targeted. Yet attacks against them are increasing worldwide. Over the past three years, more than 1,000 humanitarian workers have been killed. In crisis situations, humanitarians are on the front line: they provide essential assistance and save lives. Their work must be protected to ensure the delivery of life-saving aid to populations living in crisis zones.
“The responses to this crime over the decades have remained insufficient and have had profound repercussions on the protection of humanitarian workers worldwide. They send a signal that such attacks can go unpunished. Today, we are witnessing a rise in attacks against humanitarians on an unprecedented scale. It is imperative that Sri Lankan authorities provide answers and that justice is served,” added Perrine Benoist.
You can read Action Against Hunger’s letter calling for a new investigation here .
ACF Letter to President – Muttur
Understanding the Muttur massacre
On 4 August 2006 in Muttur, Sri Lanka, 17 Action contre la Faim humanitarian workers were murdered on the NGO’s premises, while they were assisting populations affected by the tsunami and conflict. This massacre, one of the most serious ever committed against humanitarian workers, has gone unpunished. For almost 20 years, Action contre la Faim has tirelessly fought for the truth and justice, condemning flawed inquiries and calling upon the international community to recognise who was responsible and ensure justice for the victims.
#NeverForgetNeverGiveUp
#JusticeForMuttur
Action contre la Faim’s work in Sri Lanka
Action contre la Faim had been working in Sri Lanka since 1996, and since 2001 in Muttur. The association ran water, hygiene and sanitation programmes there, as well as food security projects.
Following the tsunami of 26 December 2004, Action contre la Faim greatly intensified its operations there. Some 150 tonnes of materials were sent and more than 16 million euros from private funding were mobilised to respond to the humanitarian emergency, restore drinking water access and support survivors of the tsunami. ACF left the country in 2008.
A complex geopolitical context
Between 1983 and 2009, a violent conflict took place in Sri Lanka between the Sri Lankan government, dominated by the Sinhalese majority, and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist Tamil movement that sought to create an independent state called Tamil Eelam.
In 2006, Sri Lanka was immersed in an acute phase of its civil war between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
The north-east part of the country, including Trincomalee and Muttur, was a particularly militarised area, characterised by frequent clashes, bombings, mass displacement of civilians and the presence of multiple authorities (Sri Lankan army, LTTE and paramilitary groups).
A reminder of what happened:
- 1–2 August: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam attack Muttur and quickly take control of the town. The Sri Lankan army counterattacks, with intense bombing in the area. Thousands of civilians flee.
- 3 August: 17 Action contre la Faim humanitarian workers are shut away in ACF’s offices, despite the International Committee of the Red Cross’s attempts to evacuate them, which fail due to the fighting. On the evening of 3 August, the office is made as visible as possible, with ACF flags and stickers, and the Trincomalee Police confirms to Action contre la Faim that the police and soldiers present in Muttur are well aware of the presence of humanitarian workers there.
- 4 August: The army declares in the press that it has taken back control of Muttur. Around 7 am, Action contre la Faim loses contact with its teams in Muttur. Action contre la Faim tries to organise an evacuation by road, but the mission is interrupted at an army checkpoint 10 km from Muttur. The humanitarian workers are executed on the NGO’s premises. According to later inquiries, they are lined up and shot at point blank range.
- 5 August: The first rumours of the massacre begin to emerge. Nonetheless, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (created to monitor the ceasefire in Sri Lanka) and Action contre la Faim are prevented from entering Muttur by the army, officially for security reasons.
- 6 August: On 6 August, after several attempts, the Action contre la Faim teams finally manage to reach Muttur. They discover the first 15 bodies in the offices, face down, with ACF T-shirts visible and gunshot wounds in the head and neck. Two more bodies are found later on in a vehicle.
- 7 August: The bodies are moved by an Action contre la Faim team to Trincomalee Hospital on 7 August.
The victims
The 17 victims were Sri Lankan employees of Action contre la Faim, all involved in essential humanitarian programmes, mainly relating to water, sanitation, hygiene and food security.
They were young people – most of them aged between 23 and 36 – who came from local communities. Together, they were an experienced team recognised for their crucial role in post-tsunami assistance efforts.
“They were aid workers…who paid with their lives for their good intentions.”
Jan Egeland, former UN Emergency Relief Coordinator
A fight for justice
The evidence gathered by Action contre la Faim, independent NGOs and international observers coincides in indicating that the likely culprits are members of the Sri Lankan security forces.
To date, Sri Lankan proceedings have been a resounding failure and the Sri Lankan government has shown a flagrant reluctance to establish the truth. We hope the government reassumes its responsibilities soon.
‘Nearly 20 years after the killings, the perpetrators of these attacks have still notbeen arrested, prosecuted and punished.’
Quote from UN experts, 2025
Timeline
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Joint NGO declaration
A joint declaration signed by 28 NGOs is published. They urge the Sri Lankan government to do everything in its power to make sure the Muttur war crime does not go unpunished. They call upon the warring parties to respect international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles and ask governments and the United Nations to use all possible means of diplomatic pressure. -
Three national inquiries are carried out, without any results.
The proceedings in Sri Lanka are an abject failure, and the Sri Lankan government shows a blatant reluctance to commit to establishing the truth. In response, Action contre la Faim decides to leave the country in 2008 and withdraw from any local proceedings under way. The association takes this opportunity to publicly reveal all the obstacles it has encountered and call for the opening of an international inquiry as the last chance to identify those responsible. -
A petition for the opening of an independent UN inquiry is issued.
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ACF publishes a damning report identifying the security forces as the responsible party.
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Opening of an international inquiry via the Human Rights Council following requests from different parties, especially ACF.
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The United Nations Human Rights Council publishes a report on the crimes committed during the Sri Lankan civil war.
It corroborates Action contre la Faim’s conclusion and calls for the creation of an international Special Court. This proposal is rejected by the Sri Lankan authorities. -
Action contre la Faim continues to demand justice.
While calls for justice remain blocked and the United Nations’ recommendations are left unimplemented, Action contre la Faim continues to demand justice for Muttur in international venues (Security Council 2021, conference and international events).
20 years later, Action contre la Faim has not forgotten
Twenty years have gone by, but we have not forgotten them. Since 2006, we have made sure to commemorate our colleagues murdered in Sri Lanka. These are our campaigns:
2007 – Un an après le massacre de Muttur – Action contre la Faim
Protecting humanitarian workers
Understanding the Muttur Massacre leads to reflections on the crimes committed against humanitarian workers. More and more frequently, deliberate attacks are targeting them. Data collected on our colleagues’ safety show an increase in serious attacks. In 2025, 332 humanitarian employees were killed, 144 kidnapped and 228 injured. The vast majority of these cases involved national workers, meaning employees born in the country where they work.
Find out more: Not a Target:Stop crimes against humanitarian workers – Action contre la Faim
2008 – Understanding the Muttur massacre – Action contre la Faim
2013, updated 2024 – Muttur : 6 years of impunity. The failure of justice in Sri Lanka
2023 – Better protect humanitarian workers to meet growing needs