The UK is closely monitoring developments relating to the Chemmani mass graves and continues to engage the Sri Lankan authorities on the importance of a credible, transparent investigation that meets international standards, including robust forensic safeguards and meaningful engagement with affected families. We have encouraged consideration of international assistance as excavations continue.

We regularly raise issues of accountability, reconciliation and enforced disappearances with the Government of Sri Lanka. The former Foreign Secretary discussed these issues with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister during her visit to the UK in May, while the previous Deputy Prime Minister did so during his visit to Sri Lanka in February 2026. Most recently, our British High Commissioner discussed enforced disappearances with Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and met families of the missing in Jaffna.

The UK remains committed to supporting truth, justice and accountability through our leadership of the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council and support for ongoing UN accountability mechanisms.

The UK is closely monitoring developments relating to the Chemmani mass graves and continues to engage the Sri Lankan authorities on the importance of a credible, transparent investigation that meets international standards, including robust forensic safeguards and meaningful engagement with affected families. We have encouraged consideration of international assistance as excavations continue.

We regularly raise issues of accountability, reconciliation and enforced disappearances with the Government of Sri Lanka. The former Foreign Secretary discussed these issues with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister during her visit to the UK in May, while the previous Deputy Prime Minister did so during his visit to Sri Lanka in February 2026. Most recently, our British High Commissioner discussed enforced disappearances with Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and met families of the missing in Jaffna.

The UK remains committed to supporting truth, justice and accountability through our leadership of the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council and support for ongoing UN accountability mechanisms.

No. The UK uses a combination of grants and other instruments, including loans, as most appropriate to deliver the intended outcomes and provide the best value for money. The majority of UK ICF will continue to be provided through grants. No existing ICF programmes have been switched from grants to loans linked with the recent announcement of £2 bus fares.

Officials at our High Commission in Colombo are monitoring this case, and the British High Commissioner raised it with the Sri Lankan authorities on 4 June.

The UK remains firmly committed to protecting human rights in Sri Lanka, including securing truth, justice and accountability for past abuses against the Tamil community and other minority groups. We also continue to press the Sri Lankan Government, bilaterally and at the UN Human Rights Council, for meaningful progress and urge them to uphold their commitments to international human rights standards.

In particular, we have consistently raised concerns about the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act in Sri Lanka, and urged its repeal and replacement in line with international law and safeguards.

We recognise the strength of feeling among diaspora communities and continue to press the Sri Lankan Government bilaterally and at the United Nations Human Rights Council for meaningful progress to improve the human rights situation. That includes securing truth, justice and accountability for past abuses affecting all communities, including Tamils. We have consistently raised concerns about the Prevention of Terrorism Act and its ongoing use, and we will continue to urge its repeal and replacement, in line with international law.

I have been contacted by members of the Tamil community across Bexleyheath and Crayford, who continue to press for accountability and justice in relation to atrocities committed during the civil war in Sri Lanka. They are very concerned about how the country’s Prevention of Terrorism Act is currently being used to silence voices, including that of Hiphop Sangee. Can my hon. Friend outline the measures her Department is taking to press for accountability for both the historical and current persecution of Tamils in Sri Lanka?

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 26 May 2026 in response to Question 2557. In addition, the Foreign Secretary and I met with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on 20 May during her visit to the UK where the Foreign Secretary raised the need for accelerated progress on human rights, accountability and justice.

The UK Government is clear that the human rights situation in Sri Lanka needs to be improved. Long-standing grievances and legitimate calls for truth and reconciliation should be addressed properly to ensure justice for all communities and victims' groups, including members of the Tamil community. It is also important that excavations of Chemmani mass graves are carried out in accordance with international legal standards.

We regularly raise these issues with the Sri Lankan government. Most recently, the Deputy Prime Minister discussed human rights during his visit to Sri Lanka in February, with the President, Foreign Minister, civil society organisations and political leaders in the north of Sri Lanka. I also discussed these issues with Sri Lankan Ministers during their visit to the UK last October.

In addition, the UK leads efforts at the UN Human Rights Council with Core Group partners, to ensure that international attention remains on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. We will continue to encourage the Sri Lankan government to uphold its international human rights obligations, protect civic space and make meaningful progress towards an inclusive political settlement that addresses the legitimate concerns of all communities.

The UK Government is clear that the human rights situation in Sri Lanka needs to be improved. Long-standing grievances and legitimate calls for truth and reconciliation should be addressed properly to ensure justice for all communities and victims' groups, including members of the Tamil community. It is also important that excavations of Chemmani mass graves are carried out in accordance with international legal standards.

We regularly raise these issues with the Sri Lankan government. Most recently, the Deputy Prime Minister discussed human rights during his visit to Sri Lanka in February, with the President, Foreign Minister, civil society organisations and political leaders in the north of Sri Lanka. I also discussed these issues with Sri Lankan Ministers during their visit to the UK last October.

In addition, the UK leads efforts at the UN Human Rights Council with Core Group partners, to ensure that international attention remains on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. We will continue to encourage the Sri Lankan government to uphold its international human rights obligations, protect civic space and make meaningful progress towards an inclusive political settlement that addresses the legitimate concerns of all communities.

We are aware of the continued concerns about water quality relating to the Chunnakam power plant in Jaffna. Our High Commission in Colombo regularly engages with the Sri Lankan authorities on water management and environmental issues and with local communities on environmental concerns.

The UK supports sustainable water management in Sri Lanka through the 'Improving Groundwater Management in the Jaffna Peninsula' Initiative implemented by the International Water Management Institute. The programme works with local communities, researchers and Sri Lankan government authorities and is helping communities better understand and manage water resources. Officials from our High Commission in Colombo most recently visited Jaffna in February 2026 to assess programme progress and engage with local stakeholders to hear their concerns.

The UK Government is clear that the human rights situation in Sri Lanka needs to be improved. Long-standing grievances and legitimate calls for truth and reconciliation should be addressed properly to ensure justice for all communities and victims' groups, including members of the Tamil community. It is also important that excavations of Chemmani mass graves are carried out in accordance with international legal standards.

We regularly raise these issues with the Sri Lankan government. Most recently, the Deputy Prime Minister discussed human rights during his visit to Sri Lanka in February, with the President, Foreign Minister, civil society organisations and political leaders in the north of Sri Lanka. I also discussed these issues with Sri Lankan Ministers during their visit to the UK last October.

In addition, the UK leads efforts at the UN Human Rights Council with Core Group partners, to ensure that international attention remains on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. We will continue to encourage the Sri Lankan government to uphold its international human rights obligations, protect civic space and make meaningful progress towards an inclusive political settlement that addresses the legitimate concerns of all communities.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has committed to provide technical assistance to signatories of the Global Charter on Children's Care Reform, where needed, to support the development and implementation of national children's care reform commitments. This technical assistance can support activities such as developing national care reform strategies and action plans, strengthening laws and policies, building the capacity of the children's social care workforce, improving data and monitoring systems, and supporting the transition from institutional to family‑based care.

Since 2021, the UK has seen record numbers of people arriving illegally and claiming asylum, with increasing pressure on public services and accommodation – this scheme is designed to improve returns cooperation with these countries, support those being returned to their country of origin, and ultimately remove more people.

The UK Government is deeply concerned about the extensive damage and distress caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. The British High Commissioner in Colombo has been in regular contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Disaster Management Centre, and the UN Resident Coordinator to monitor the situation and understand emerging needs.

We have allocated £1 million of humanitarian support through the Red Cross, UN partners and civil society organisations to support immediate humanitarian assistance.

The UK is tracking the situation closely and remains in regular contact with the Sri Lankan authorities and humanitarian partners.

The UK is active in seeking justice and accountability for Sri Lanka’s Tamil community. Indeed, we lead in the UN Human Rights Council on the resolution on Sri Lanka. Last year, we sanctioned Sri Lankans for human rights violations in the civil war, and we have made clear to the Sri Lankan Government the importance of improved human rights for all in Sri Lanka, as well as reconciliation. Let me take the opportunity to wish the Tamil community a happy Thai Pongal.