Australia and Britain said Wednesday there remain important concerns about human rights and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, but also noted areas of progress and also encouraged countries to participate in the Commonwealth leaders' meeting to be held in Sri Lanka in November.

“Sri Lanka will have an opportunity to show what progress has been made in areas of humanitarian support and human rights,” foreign media reports said quoting Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. She said more could be achieved by engaging Sri Lanka than by isolating it.

Bishop welcomed this week's provincial elections in a region that was ravaged by the war.