Sri Lanka warns Cameron over war crimes

David Cameron has been warned by the Sri Lankan government not to quiz them over alleged war crimes in 2009.

The prime minister has rejected calls to boycott a Commonwealth summit in the country, saying he would use his visit to raise its human rights record.

But the Sri Lankans said he had no right to bring it up as he had not been invited on that basis.

The UN estimates that 40,000 civilians were killed in the last five months of the 26-year conflict but the Sri Lankan authorities deny responsibility.

Cameron is also holding trade talks with his Indian counterpart, who is among those avoiding the summit.

Manmohan Singh is joined by the prime ministers of Canada and Mauritius, who are staying away in protest over allegations that the regime of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaska carried out war crimes at the end of a civil war with Tamil separatists four years ago.

Tamil representatives and the Labour opposition urged Mr Cameron to join the boycott, but the UK PM argues he can achieve more by using his attendance to "shine a spotlight" on "some of the human rights issues".

But the Sri Lankans reacted angrily to that suggestion.

"The invitation to Prime Minister David Cameron was not based on that," minister of mass media and communications Keheliya Rambukwella said.

"We are a sovereign nation. You think someone can just make a demand from Sri Lanka? We are not a colony. We are an independent state."

Asked about the comments, Cameron maintained he was right to raise questions, adding: "That's exactly what I'll be doing."