BRUSSELS, Aug 7 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, on Monday expressed shock at the killing of 15 aid workers in Sri Lanka.

    "We are deeply shocked by the spate of violent attacks on civilians and humanitarian aid personnel in Sri Lanka culminating in the execution-style killing of 15 aid workers from the NGO Action Contre La Faim (Action Against Hunger) in Mutthur this week-end," said EU commissioners Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Louis Michel on behalf of the commission.

    "Our sincere condolences go to the family and colleagues of the 15 victims."

    The European Commission urged the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate these killings immediately and thoroughly and to give assurances that they will do everything possible to ensure a safe humanitarian space in the country, said the two commissioners, in charge of external relations and humanitarian aid respectively.

    "Violent means is not the way for resolving the problems in Sri Lanka. The commission reiterates once more the call to the parties to put an end to violence and to return to the negotiating table so as to relieve the Sri Lankan people from the ordeal of 20 years of persistent conflict," said the statement.

    It said there are more than 325,000 highly vulnerable, uprooted people in northeastern Sri Lanka, including 30,000 displaced in the last few days by the continuing conflict.

    Humanitarian access to these people will be seriously hampered if the attacks continue, leading to even greater suffering, it said.

    The worsening situation would affect the extensive relief operations financed by the European Commission in the crisis zone, it said.

    The statement reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting the peace process in Sri Lanka. Enditem