We need to engage Sri Lanka in a dialogue of equals without employing megaphone diplomacy. We failed do so last week and for which on behalf of the British Conservative Members of European Parliament, I do now apologise, said Deva Aditya, Member of European Parliament.

"The recent visit by the MEP delegation was to improve relations with South Asian countries. But far from improving the relationship with Sri Lanka, the visit on the contrary also led to recriminations, finger pointing and mistrust," he added.

"What the Government has achieved in the Eastern Province in turning a previous LTTE leader into the Chief Minister restoring civil administration and resettling 90 per cent of the IDPs in a short time is truly remarkable.” he continued.

Deva-Aditya regretted the MEP delegation's statements and stressed that the EU needs to learn but not to lecture. "For the EU the lesson is simpler still. We need to learn but not to lecture. We need to learn to make statements that encourage good governance in the spirit of friendship while at the same time not strengthening the hand of the terrorist in any way, he said.