To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Sri Lankan Government on the development of independent human rights reporting in Sri Lanka. (251080)

In March 2008, my noble Friend, the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, made clear at the UN Human Rights Council UK support for a stronger mandate and presence for the UN human rights mission in Sri Lanka directly with the Sri Lankan Government. He also raised this during his visit to Sri Lanka in July 2008. We continue to emphasise the need for independent human rights reporting in our regular contacts with the Sri Lankan Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent assessment of press freedom in northern Sri Lanka is; and what recent reports he has received of threats to the personal safety of journalists operating in the region. (251088)

I refer the hon. Member to the Written ministerial statement on Sri Lanka by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, 21 January 2009, Official Report, columns 29-32WS.