Cameron to raise human rights with Sri Lanka at Commonwealth summit

Prime Minister David Cameron waits to greet his counterpart from Hungary, Viktor Orban, on the steps of 10 Downing Street in central London October 9, 2013. REUTERS/Andrew Winning

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday rejected calls to boycott a Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka next month because of concerns over the country's human rights record, but said he would raise difficult issues at the talks.

Rights groups have urged world leaders to stay away from the meeting in Colombo to protest against what they have described as a "human rights crisis" in the former British colony, suggesting attendance could help legitimise the situation.