§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent visits have been made by High Commission officials to the northern area of Sri Lanka; and what reports have been received following such visits. [21897]
§ Mr. FatchettHigh Commission officials travel extensively around Sri Lanka, although not all areas are accessible because of fighting between Government forces and the LTTE. Since Jaffna was brought under Government control in December 1995, High Commission officials have made five separate visits to the areas, most recently in November 1997. They report that 21W the situation there is gradually improving, but remain concerned about allegations of human rights abuses on the peninsula.