Mr Patten also met Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, Ranil Wickramasinghe, on Wednesday, after returning from talks with the Tigers in rebel territory in northern Sri Lanka.

BBC: NEWS | South Asia | EU envoy supports Sri Lanka peace

The present round of negotiations, initiated by Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe is unique in a way because this is the first time a power from outside the region is mediating.

BBC: The road to peace in Sri Lanka

The government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe depends on the Muslim party for its slim majority in parliament, though it can also count on the Tamil parties as well for outside support.

BBC: 'Conspiracy' threat to Sri Lanka talks