Sri Lanka

Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen Excerpts

Tuesday 8th January 2013 Grand Committee

[Baroness Warsi]

I will certainly do that. UK support includes funding activities on rehabilitation, access to language rights, community policing support and positive dialogue within and between communities in Sri Lanka and, indeed, engaging the UK diaspora. We recognise the need for a long-term approach but firmly believe that this must include some early evidence of progress. It is right that Sri Lanka’s friends should raise such concerns alongside more immediate human rights issues. As Alistair Burt said in his Written Ministerial Statement last January:

“Our long-term interest is in a stable, peaceful Sri Lanka, free from the scourge of terrorism, and as a fellow member of the Commonwealth, conforming to the standards and values which Commonwealth membership requires”.—[Official Report, Commons, 12/1/12; col. 21WS.]

That position remains unchanged.

I close by thanking the noble Lord, Lord Naseby, for his continued interest in Sri Lanka and for securing this debate today.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen)]

My Lords, that completes the business before the Grand Committee this afternoon. Therefore, the Committee stands adjourned.

Committee adjourned at 5.31 pm.