Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour) on Monday, 22 February 2010.

Sri Lanka

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Sri Lanka about social, ethnic and religious harmony.

Answer: We continue to take every opportunity to urge the Government of Sri Lanka to make progress on national reconciliation, through taking forward the need for a fully inclusive political solution which addresses the underlying causes of the conflict. It remains our view that this is the only way to achieve lasting peace in Sri Lanka. Reconciliation will depend in a large part on the Government of Sri Lanka protecting and promoting the rights of all Sri Lanka's social, ethnic and religious communities. Following the recent presidential election in Sri Lanka my right honourable friend the Prime Minister wrote to President Rajapakse urging him to use his mandate to take forward genuine reconciliation. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary also discussed this issue when he spoke to Foreign Minister Bogollagama on 5 February 2010. Parliamentary elections will be the next opportunity for Sri Lankans of all communities to elect their representatives. They need to be able to make their choices freely and in an atmosphere untainted by violence.

Secondary information