British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband in Sri Lanka

In a video message to a group of Sri Lankans living in the UK the foreign secretary said that although the European Union wants to have an open and engaged trading relationship with Sri Lanka the absence of key human rights has forced the suspension of the GSP plus (Generalised System of Preferences) trade concession.

Milliband said that he very much hopes that the Sri Lankan government will address human rights issues urgently.

The Foreign Secretary emphasised the importance of achieving national reconciliation through peaceful and political means, saying, "It’s through politics that social, economic, and political change occurs, not through violence. Violence doesn't serve any of the communities of Sri Lanka."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office which hosted talks on Tuesday as part of its out reach programme said that the meeting was attended by 25 members of the Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher communities from across the UK.

Minister Prem Jayanth

	Minister Susil Prem Jayanth

Minister Susil Prem Jayanth said that its not reasonable to expect that every thing would be in order within months as Sri lanka has suffered from terrorism for the last thirty years.

He said that steps are been taken to improve the human rights situation and that Sri Lanka has a free and vibrant media.

“The government will do every thing to safeguard human rights” said Prem Jayanth