§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current political situation in Sri Lanka. [66376]
§ Mr. FatchettWe believe that a lasting solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka can be reached only through a political settlement. During my visit to Colombo in November last year I made it clear to the Sri Lankan Government that we remain ready to help in the resolution of the conflict if both sides ask us to play a role. But it is for the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to work to reach a negotiated settlement.