Sri Lanka

HC Deb 12 March 1990 vol 169 cc16-7

64. Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Minister for Overseas Development has to visit Sri Lanka.

Mrs. Chalker

At present I have no plans to visit Sri Lanka.

Mr. Cox

I note that reply, but is the Minister aware of the ongoing efforts of the President of Sri Lanka to try to reunite that country and to build up confidence in it? Against that background will she assure the House that she will do all that she can to encourage such confidence? Most especially, if requests are made for foreign aid or technical assistance, will she and her Department look favourably on them?

Mrs. Chalker

I am glad that President Premadasa has managed to make an improvement in the south of the country, but there are still grave concerns about what is happening in Sri Lanka. We have an aid programme in that country. In 1988–89, our substantial aid expenditure totalled £19.4 million, although it will probably be a little less in the current financial year. We recognise that there is a need to provide help, especially in the environmental area, but we must be careful about the use of technical co-operation officers in a country which still has much civilian strife.

Mr. Jack

Pursuant to my right hon. Friend's previous reply about environmental policies, what benefit will there be for forestry in Sri Lanka?

Mrs. Chalker

A forestry project is at an advanced state of preparation and includes the study of land use and conservation in the Victoria dam catchment area. There is also a major project, which we are helping through the aid and trade provision, on the Samanalawewa dam.

Mr. Madden

What action is the Minister taking to gauge the extent of human and civil rights abuses in Sri Lanka? What representations has she made to the Government in that regard?

Mrs. Chalker

Our high commissioner in Sri Lanka saw the President on 28 February. We constantly monitor what is happening. Britain, like other major donors, is looking for a distinct improvement in human rights. We were extremely concerned about the abduction and death of Richard d'Zoysa.