Sri Lanka questions Miliband's statement on human rights

Sri Lanka on Thursday expressed "suspicions" over the timings of British Foreign Secretary David Miliband's statement about alleged human rights violation in the country, saying it came a few days before the April 8 parliamentary elections.

Sri Lanka on Thursday expressed "suspicions" over the timings of British Foreign Secretary David Miliband's statement about alleged human rights violation in the country, saying it came a few days before the April 8 parliamentary elections.

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"UK is biased. The timing of this statement is very suspicious. Britain has been harping about Sri Lanka's human rights record for a very long time. They have clearly planned this to suppress the victories of the government," Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

"The special statement on Sri Lanka (by Miliband) coincides with the general elections scheduled to be held in next week," he added.

Rambukwella said that a special government delegation will be replying to Miliband's statement shortly.

In a special video statement, the British Foreign Secretary said the European Union wants to have an open and engaged trading relationship with Sri Lanka, but were forced to suspend the GSP plus trade concession due to the absence of key human rights conventions raised by the EU Commission.