The University of Sydney has urged delegates at a human rights conference to go soft on the Sri Lankan government on their refusal to investigate war-time atrocities that allegedly occurred at the end of the three decade long war.

Brisbane Times reported that Danielle Celermajer, an associate professor at the university, told 100 delegates they should be "mindful of the heightened sensitivity and fragility" at the conference in Bangkok after Sri Lankan authorities threatened to withdraw its military and police participants.

"The stark reality is that if the Sri Lankan authorities feel themselves under attack, they will leave. They have made this clear to us," she said.

The professor also urged the delegates to aim towards a positive outcome while they engage in the related matters. Celemajer also pointed out that a negative attitude would affect the outcome of the conference.

Australian media reported that the Sri Lankan authorities had told organizers of the "Enhancing Human Rights and Security in the Asia-Pacific" conference its military and police delegates would withdraw because Sri Lankan non-government-organizations had been invited to attend.

However the organizers have requested two of the NGO’s to withdraw their delegates from the conference.

The University of Sydney has said that one of the main objectives of the conference to be held between September 15 and 17 was to discuss the development of more effective strategies for protecting human rights in armed forces across the Asia-Pacific.