Miliband said the safety of civilians was of paramount importance and both sides must comply fully with international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians at all times.

"I welcome the current visit to Sri Lanka by Sir John Holmes, UN Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs. As discussed by the Prime Minister and President Rajapaksa earlier today, I will be visiting Sri Lanka on Wednesday, 29 April. My priority will be to address the humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka and the continuing grave risk to civilians in the conflict zone.

"I urge the Government of Sri Lanka to allow civilian oversight of all Internally Displaced Persons as soon as they have left the conflict zone; and to fulfil the commitments it has made to improve conditions in the IDP camps, including; better access to medical facilities; transparent registration processes; international monitoring; and freedom of movement in and out of the camps," Miliband is quoted as having said .