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1719704

registered interest
date	21/05/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Sri Lankan reconciliation process.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	27336
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/05/2024 answer text <p>Sri Lanka is a human rights priority country, and the UK regularly engages with the Government of Sri Lanka on areas of concern, including progress on reconciliation. We recognise the significant doubts expressed by affected communities regarding the credibility of reconciliation mechanisms. The UK has stressed the importance of an inclusive participatory process to build trust. Any mechanism must be independent, meaningful, and transparent, meet the expectations of affected communities, build upon previous transitional justice processes, and provide pathways for accountability. The UK continues to fund work on the removal of landmines and the resettlement of internally displaced communities to support reconciliation efforts.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 23/05/2024 12:37:33 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1602034

registered interest
date	07/03/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the political and security situation in Sri Lanka.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	160367
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2023 answer text <p>We believe that a stable and inclusive political settlement is an essential foundation for the economic recovery and growth that Sri Lanka needs and we closely monitor political, economic and security developments in this regard.</p><p>The Minister for South Asia, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, and the British High Commissioner, have called for a peaceful, democratic and inclusive approach to resolving the current political and economic issues. They also emphasised that violence against peaceful protestors is unacceptable.</p><p>We call on the Sri Lankan authorities to safeguard citizens' rights and ensure security responses are proportionate and in line with international human rights standards.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 13/03/2023 16:31:25 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1504206

registered interest
date	02/09/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what most recent assessment she has made of the political and security situation in Sri Lanka.
tabling member constituency	Newport West
tabling member printed	Ruth Jones
uin	46035
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/09/2022 answer text <p>We continue to closely monitor the political, economic and security situation in Sri Lanka. The economic situation remains challenging, as inflation continues to increase, and there continues to be shortages of key goods. We welcome the news that the new Government of Sri Lanka has reached staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund. This is a positive and important first step to help the country of Sri Lanka recover.</p><p>We are in regular high level contact with the new Sri Lankan government on these issues, as well as others of mutual interest.</p> answering member constituency Chichester answering member printed Gillian Keegan question first answered 29/09/2022 15:11:15 answering member 4680 label Biography information for Gillian Keegan
tabling member	4716 label Biography information for Ruth Jones

1491655

registered interest
date	21/07/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure a peaceful transfer of power in Sri Lanka following the announcement of President Rajapaksa's resignation.
tabling member constituency	Ilford South
tabling member printed	Sam Tarry
uin	42266
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/09/2022 answer text <p>The UK looks forward to working with Ranil Wickremesinghe following his election as President of Sri Lanka by the Sri Lankan parliament as part of a peaceful transition of power. We continue to call for a peaceful, democratic and inclusive approach to resolving the current political and economic challenges. In his recent call with Prime Minister Gunawardena on 16 August the Minister responsible for South Asia, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, called on the Sri Lankan Government to build an inclusive consensus for the reforms necessary to bring Sri Lanka's economy back on a sustainable path. Lord Ahmad also discussed efforts to build a multi-party government with President Wickremesinghe on 23 July. We welcome the Sri Lanka Government's engagement with members of the opposition and we call for the ambitions and hopes of all citizens and communities to be listened to as Sri Lanka builds its future. We continue to engage with members of Sri Lankan civil society to encourage inclusive, peaceful and democratic solutions to Sri Lanka's ongoing challenges.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 06/09/2022 17:06:30 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4829 label Biography information for Sam Tarry

1491658

registered interest
date	21/07/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK plans to put forward resolutions on Sri Lanka at the September session of the UNHRC regarding accountability for atrocities.
tabling member constituency	Ilford South
tabling member printed	Sam Tarry
uin	42268
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/09/2022 answer text <p>In March 2021, the UK Government and our Core Group partners led an ambitious new resolution (46/1) on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The resolution provides a continued framework for international engagement on human rights in Sri Lanka, and highlights serious concerns about the situation, including those detailed in the January 2021 report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). It calls on the government of Sri Lanka to make progress on accountability and human rights, and stresses the importance of a comprehensive accountability process for all violations and abuses committed in Sri Lanka. It keeps Sri Lanka firmly on the UNHRC agenda and requests continued and enhanced OHCHR reporting on the human rights situation and on accountability. Importantly, it also strengthened the capacity of OHCHR to collect, consolidate, preserve and analyse information and evidence to support future accountability processes. We continue to make clear our human rights concerns in statements made to the UNHRC, most recently on 14 June 2022. We will work with our partners to maintain the UNHRC's focus on Sri Lanka in the future.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 07/09/2022 15:14:21 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4829 label Biography information for Sam Tarry

1471682

registered interest
date	20/06/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Samurdhi programme in Sri Lanka.
tabling member constituency	Hendon
tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
uin	21168
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2022 answer text <p>The UK recognises the economic challenges that Sri Lanka is facing. We continue to monitor the economic situation in Sri Lanka closely, including the impact economic issues are having on food security and livelihoods. The existing social protection systems, including the Samurdhi programme, provide essential support to the most vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka and will be crucial at this difficult time.</p><p>The Sri Lankan authorities have taken a number of measures to help support the public, including an economic relief package of Rs. 200bn ($1bn) announced in January 2022. This package includes a Rs. 5000 ($25) monthly allowance for public sector employees, pensioners and disabled soldiers. Under the scheme, Rs. 1000 ($5) has been allocated to the beneficiaries of the government's largest welfare programme 'Samurdhi', and a number of taxes and levies have been removed from essential foods and medicines. The Government of Sri Lanka agreed on May 2 to provide a special three-month cash allowance from May to July worth Rs. 13.36 billion to 3.34 million families affected by the current economic crisis, with funding from the World Bank of which the UK is a major donor. We regularly discuss economic policy with the Sri Lankan Government and encourage efforts to improve economic growth and protect vital economic interests such as key industries, commodities, employment and livelihoods.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 28/06/2022 13:46:02 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1463087

registered interest
date	16/05/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has discussed political violence in Sri Lanka with (a) the Sri Lankan Government and (b) other partners in that region.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	2596
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/05/2022 answer text <p>The UK Government is concerned by the outbreaks of violence that followed on from the attacks against peaceful protesters at Galle Face, in Colombo, on 09 May. The Minister of State for South Asia, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, has emphasised that violence against peaceful protestors is unacceptable. Those responsible for attacks should be held to account, and fundamental rights including the right to peaceful protest must be protected.</p><p>We discuss our concerns with the Government of Sri Lanka. Lord Ahmad raised the need to improve human rights and deliver justice and accountability with the Sri Lankan President and Foreign Minister when he visited Sri Lanka 18-20 January 2022. The Foreign Secretary raised the importance of upholding human rights when she met Foreign Minister Peiris on 26 October 2021.</p><p>The UK Government has urged all parties to explore constructive and democratic ways of resolving the current political and economic challenges. The UK High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Sarah Hulton, has called for independent and transparent investigations into violence against peaceful protesters. My officials are engaging with counterparts in the region on this issue and will continue to closely monitor political, economic and security developments in Sri Lanka.</p> answering member constituency Chelmsford answering member printed Vicky Ford question first answered 19/05/2022 16:53:19 answering member 4674 label Biography information for Vicky Ford
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1462728

registered interest
date	12/05/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current political and security situation in Sri Lanka following the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on 10 May.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL213
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2022 answer text <p>We are closely monitoring the political, economic and security situation in Sri Lanka. We encourage a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive approach to resolving the current political and economic challenges. We call on all parties to explore constructive and democratic ways of resolving the current situation.</p><p>The UK Government strongly condemns the violence against peaceful protesters in Sri Lanka. Lord Ahmad, called for accountability for those responsible and for the right to protest peacefully to be protected. Fundamental rights including the right to peaceful protest, must be protected as part of a democratic resolution to current economic &amp; political challenges.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 26/05/2022 15:23:39 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1331576

registered interest
date	09/06/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the (1) economic, and (2) political, situation in Sri Lanka.
tabling member printed	Baroness Kennedy of Cradley
uin	HL954
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/06/2021 answer text <p>The UK government monitors economic and political developments in Sri Lanka very closely, including through the British High Commission in Colombo. As for many countries, the pandemic has affected Sri Lanka's rate of economic growth and level of debt. The UK has underlined the importance of an inclusive economic response including for marginalised groups and those most affected by the impacts of the pandemic.</p><p>The political and human rights situation in Sri Lanka remains concerning, including measures which extend executive control over independent institutions and the judiciary, pressure on civil society, continued militarisation of civilian functions, and increased marginalisation of minorities. On 23 March the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a new resolution, 46/1, led by the UK alongside our partners in the Core Group on Sri Lanka. This resolution provides a continued framework for international engagement on human rights in Sri Lanka, and highlights serious concerns about the situation, including those detailed in the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). It calls on the government of Sri Lanka to make progress on accountability and human rights, and stresses the importance of a comprehensive accountability process for all violations and abuses committed in Sri Lanka.</p><p>Minister for South Asia Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon has raised the importance of human rights, accountability and reconciliation with Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK in January and May respectively. The UK government will continue to engage with the government of Sri Lanka on our human rights concerns.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 23/06/2021 15:49:23 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4303 label Biography information for Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

1276865

registered interest
date	14/01/2021
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he made of the implications for his policies of the the Sri Lankan Government's recent passing into law of the 20th amendment which appears to remove almost all checks on the power of the Executive President.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	138048
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/01/2021 answer text <p>The UK government monitors political developments in Sri Lanka very closely, including the recent 20th Amendment to the Constitution which extends executive power over appointments to the judiciary and independent institutions. The UK Government has had regular discussions with the Government of Sri Lanka about democratic space, the centralisation of executive power and the military's role in governance. In a statement, delivered on behalf of the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council in June, the UK called on Sri Lanka to ensure that the country's democratic space remained open and accountable. The UK Government will continue to engage with the Government of Sri Lanka on this important issue.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 19/01/2021 14:20:23 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan