The Burmese opposition leader and human rights activist Aung San Suu Kyi has said that David Cameron should engage with all parties in Sri Lanka, after increasing pressure on the prime minister not to attend the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on the island.

Suu Kyi said that if he goes to Sri Lanka he should “engage with all those who are involved, all other stakeholders and not just the government”, while meeting him in London, according to the Colombo Gazette.

She said she was often asked whether people should visit Burma when the military ruled the country.

“I have always said that I believe in engagement, but they should engage with us, the opposition, as well.” she said.

Cameron welcomed her comments and said he will have frank conversations with the government.

“Very wise words. I will be going to the north of the country as well and I think what Aung San Suu Kyi has said is absolutely right.

“My decision is… The right thing for us to do is to go to the Commonwealth conference, as leading members of the Commonwealth, and have some very tough conversations with the Sri Lankan government.

“I’m not happy with their human rights record, I’m not happy with what they have done following the conflict and we will have some very frank conversations to make those points. Where I think Labour have got it wrong is that if you don’t go, you can’t make those points.

“No one is going to be listening to the British Foreign Secretary and the British Prime Minister if we’re not there.”

Suu Kyi earlier today denied that Muslims are being ethnically cleansed by Buddhists in the country, contrary to evidence presented by human rights organisations.