The Sri Lankan government has suspicions over the timing of British Foreign Secretary David Miliband’s special statement on Sri Lanka as it coincides with the General Elections scheduled to be held in next week Government Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Minister Rambukwella rejecting the Foreign Secretary's comments said Britain is apparently trying to deny the victories of the Sri Lankan government.

“The 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,” he said.

He further said that a special government delegation will be replying to Miliband’s statement shortly.

In a special video statement released by Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary said that there are three priorities which he has identified for the Sri Lankan government to address in the months and years to come.

Miliband said the European Union wants to have an open and engaged trading relationship with Sri Lanka, but were forced to suspend the GSP+ concession due to the absence of key human rights conventions raised by the EU Commission.