31 Jan 2012 Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he has had any discussions with the Sri Lankan government on (a) the human rights situation in the North and East of that country and (b) access to those areas for independent human rights monitors. [92572]
Mr Duncan: Ministers at the Department for International Development have not had any discussions with the Sri Lankan Government on the human rights
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situation in the North and East of that country, or on access to those areas for independent human rights monitors. The high commission in Colombo, however, regularly meets with the Sri Lankan Government to discuss a range of human rights issues including access for monitors.
Sri Lanka: Politics and Government
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the post-conflict humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka; and whether he has discussed with the Sri Lankan government any proposals to improve the situation. [92573]
Mr Duncan: The UK continues to have concerns about human rights in Sri Lanka, including disappearances and extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and restrictions on free expression. Ministers at the Department for International Development have not held discussions with the Sri Lankan Government. Ministers in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our high commission in Colombo continue to raise the matter with the Sri Lankan Government.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) assessment he has made of and (b)discussions he has had with the Sri Lankan government on food security and shelter for people from the North and East of that country. [92576]
Mr Duncan: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is one of the main providers of humanitarian assistance in Sri Lanka. Its shelter grant project continues to help people from the North and East restart their lives; including through livelihoods support.
Ministers at the Department for International Development have not had any recent discussions with the Sri Lankan Government on food security and shelter for people from the North and East of that country, but the high commission in Colombo has regular discussions with the World Food Programme about the situation in Sri Lanka and continues to raise the importance of ensuring internally displaced people are living in adequate conditions.
