British minister visited refugees and aid workers in the east

The clash in ampara district was reported just before a British minister flew in to the area to visit refugees and aid workers.

British diplomatic officials said the trip by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Dr. Kim Howells, was going ahead as planned.

Negotiated settlement

Minister Howells warned on Monday that Sri Lanka's reputation would be at stake if the civil war, which has killed more than sixty-thousand people, was not resolved.

His three-day visit is aimed at reinforcing Britain's support for a negotiated settlement to the Tamil separatist conflict.

"I hope that my visit will build on the meeting between British Prime Minister and President Rajapakse, and the recent visit to Sri Lanka by Rt Hon Paul Murphy," Dr. Howells was quoted in a statement issued by British High Commission in Colombo.

Sri Lanka President Rajapaksa made a surprise visit to UK, where he met Prime Minister Blair in August Last year.

The leaders discussed Sri Lanka's peace process and related issues, it was announced.

"I will be particularly keen to discuss what the international community can do to help create the conditions necessary to allow peace talks to resume," Minister Howells said before arriving in Colombo.