As international pressure continues to mount on the Sri Lankan government over allegations of war crimes, External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris has praised the recent trip to London by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, stating many useful meetings were held.

Speaking in an interview with the state-run Daily News, External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris said,

“Sri Lanka could be pleased with the way things are turning out with regard to the conduct of its international relations.”

He went on to say that Rajapaksa held a series of “useful” meetings with key officials including British Prime Minister David Cameron.

The view from the island on the president’s trip was markedly different, with the Sunday Times political column headlined “MR's London fiasco: Diplomatic and intelligence failure” and the Sunday Leader calling it a “debacle”.

Cameron’s spokesman later revealed that the British Prime Minister had pushed the issue of accountability for war crimes when meeting Rajapaksa.

Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka, controversy erupted after the UNP sought a debate in parliament over the cancellation of the Rajapaksa’s keynote speech in London.

The move was abruptly dismissed by the Speaker of Parliament and President Mahinda’s older brother, Chamal Rajapaksa, who stated,

"I have made my decision. I do not think this is a matter of national importance."

Sri Lankan Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella then went on to accuse the UNP of "showing allegiance to the LTTE", by trying to discuss the issue of the visit to London.

Rajapaksa’s visit to London was marked by protests against his presence for the Queen’s diamond jubilee, culminating in the Sri Lankan President’s car being hailed with eggs, as he made his way to the airport to leave the country.

See our coverage of his visit, in our feature here.