To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Sri Lankan Government over their responsibility to (a) ensure that security forces operate under the rule of domestic and international law and (b) bring to justice those of the security forces who commit crimes, including war crimes and abuses of human rights; and if he will make a statement. (227017)

We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian rights situation in Sri Lanka and urge all parties to the conflict to respect the rights of civilians. We continue to press for full investigation of alleged breaches of international law and action to bring perpetrators to justice. In July, my noble Friend, the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, raised the UK’s concerns over human rights in Sri Lanka with the Sri Lankan government, including with President Rajapakse, and the Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapakse.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross on the misrepresentation of its findings by the Sri Lankan Government. (227027)

We share the International Committee of the Red Cross’s concerns over the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. My noble Friend, the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, expressed similar concerns to President Rajapakse, his Ministers and senior officials during his visit to Sri Lanka this summer.