Knives are out in a dark room on a stormy Sri Lankan night, writes Alex Robertson.

PM John Key says he directly asked Sri Lanka's president about abductions in the country - but is reluctant to criticise Sri Lanka because the issues 'would take time to resolve'.

One was taken while walking his son home from school, another from his Indian foodstuffs shop, and another from his tuktuk while trying to stop the abduction of his Tamil passenger.

Prime Minister John Key said he will set out his concerns about human rights issues "pretty directl" when he has his formal meeting with Sri Lanka's President later today, but said overall the relationship between the two countries was improving.

Prime Minister John Key is refusing to take sides in a stoush between British Prime Minister David Cameron and the Sri Lankan Government over Sri Lanka's human rights record.

Editorial: Should John Key be going to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka? The question seems not to have weighed very heavily on him.

Prime Minister John Key says calls to block Sri Lanka taking over as the chair of the Commonwealth because of human rights concerns are likely to be fruitless.

A Green Party MP is making her way back to New Zealand after being detained by Sri Lankan authorities and questioned about her visa.

Prime Minister John Key was expected to discuss Fonterra with Sri Lanka's President this morning - the second damage control meeting he has had relating to Fonterra while on his Europe and USA trip.

New Zealand has pushed Fonterra's case in meetings with the Sri Lankan government following a tumultuous month which saw the dairy giant temporarily shut down its Sri Lankan operations.

Sri Lanka is the latest country to suspend New Zealand milk powder imports because of botulism fears from contaminated Fonterra products.

Kiwi Helen Steemson saw Sri Lanka up close when she joined Habitat for Humanity.

Photographs have emerged which raise fresh questions about the conduct of Sri Lanka's armed forces during the final stages of the operation against Tamil rebels.

Tim Southee's return to action today is part of an intriguing puzzle developing ahead of New Zealand's first test against England.

Saudi Arabia drew widespread censure yesterday as it ignored personal pleas from the Sri Lankan President and executed a migrant worker.

The Black Caps have suffered a major blow ahead of next month's two test series against South Africa with Tim Southee ruled out of the tour today.