To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions has he had with the Sri Lankan government on the return of all internally-displaced people from the former conflict zones in the north of the country to their homes by the end of 2009; and if he will make a statement. (281977)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised this issue with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollagama when they met on 5 June 2009. The Foreign Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to resettle the majority of internally displaced persons before the end of the year. We will continue to urge the Government of Sri Lanka to make progress on this commitment and we stand ready to offer practical assistance through the Department for International Development’s humanitarian funding programme.