Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Joan Ryan
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) members of the UN Security Council and (b) his Commonwealth counterparts on the political situation in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell
We remain of the view that a political solution that addresses the legitimate concerns of all communities in Sri Lanka is the only way to bring a sustainable end to the conflict. We will continue to discuss this with international partners. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has discussed the situation in Sri Lanka with a number of UN Security Council, Commonwealth and EU counterparts.

Joan Ryan
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek a special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the situation in Sri Lanka.

Bill Rammell
The UK, both independently and as part of the EU, regularly addresses the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and plans to do so again at the UN Human Rights Council which will be in session from 2-27 March 2009.