To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will hold discussions with her Sri Lanka counterpart on (a) securing legal protection for the Tamil language and Tamil Eelam region in the North East of Sri Lanka and (b) the representation of the Tamil people in the Sri Lankan Parliament; and if she will make a statement. (138628)

[holding answer 22 May 2007]: In our regular discussions with the Sri Lankan Government, we make clear our strong belief that peace must be pursued through political means. We emphasise the need for them to set out a credible framework for a negotiated settlement, which could satisfy the legitimate demands of all communities and promote the full observance of human rights in Sri Lanka.