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Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Volume 493: debated on Wednesday 3 June 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the number of people (a) killed and (b) wounded during the recent conflict in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. (277205)

Given the lack of independent monitoring from the conflict area, we have been unable to verify the conflicting reports of the numbers of people killed and injured in the recent fighting in Sri Lanka. We endorse the EU’s call for an independent inquiry into alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, and for those accountable to be brought to justice. We believe this could play an important role in the post-conflict reconciliation process. I refer the right hon. Member to my latest written ministerial statement on Sri Lanka on 19 May 2009, Official Report, column 73WS.