§ 89. Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the British Government's aid and trade relations with Sri Lanka in the light of increasing political violence and disregard for human rights.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe have made our concern about human rights abuses clearly known to the Sri Lankan Government, although we recognise the main threat to the democratic process and human rights remains terrorism and intimidation by extremist groups.
We have as yet made no link between human rights and our aid programme on trade relations. Much of our bilateral aid in Sri Lanka is directed towards helping the poorest people and reconstructing facilities damaged in the course of the conflict, including in the northern and eastern parts of the country.