Sri Lanka

HC Deb 09 March 1999 vol 327 cc182-3W

Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sri Lanka calling for UNHCR observers to be present at the exhumations of bodies at the mass grave in Chemmani on 5 March. [75513]

Mr. Fatchett

We are deeply concerned about reports that several hundred bodies of people who "disappeared" in army custody in 1996–97 may be in a mass grave at Chemmani in Jaffna. Our High Commissioner in Colombo has pressed on numerous occasions for a prompt and thorough investigation. I raised the issue when I visited Colombo on 10 November.

While we have called for an impartial investigation, we have not specifically suggested that UNHCR observers be present. A preliminary examination was held on 5 March to establish whether the site had been tampered with. We hope that the investigation will now proceed without further delay.