§ Mr. Edward DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has 413W received from his officials in Sri Lanka about mass graves at Chemanni and at the Jaffna football stadium; and if he will make a statement. [83125]
§ Mr. FatchettWe 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. I raised this subject with the Sri Lankan authorities while 1 was in Colombo in November last year. Our High Commissioner in Colombo has pressed on numerous occasions for a prompt and thorough investigation. The magisterial inquiry into the mass graves will reconvene in mid-June.
We are aware of reports that a further mass grave was uncovered at the Duraiyappah football stadium in Jaffna in March. A preliminary investigation of the site took place on 7 April. We understand that further excavations will take place on 14 May. We will continue to monitor events closely.
§ Mr. Edward DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what part the United Kingdom is to play in the international monitoring of the forthcoming elections in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [83124]
§ Mr. FatchettThe Southern Provincial Council elections are scheduled to take place on 10 June. These will not be subject to international monitoring. However, the UK is following the election process closely and will stay in touch with local election monitors.
§ Mr. Edward DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has made to the Sri Lankan Government for information on the mass graves found in the Duraiyappah stadium in Jaffna; and if he will make a statement. [83127]
§ Mr. FatchettA preliminary investigation of the site took place on 7 April. We understand that further excavations will take place on 14 May. We will continue to monitor events closely.
§ Mr. Edward DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the British Government's policy on the granting of export licences for arms sales to Sri Lanka. [83150]
§ Mr. FatchettEach licence application is considered scrupulously on a case by case basis against our national criteria and the EU Code of Conduct. We pay particular attention to the Sri Lankan Government's human rights record and its legitimate defence and domestic security interests. HMG do not issue licences if there is a clearly identifiable risk that the equipment might be used for internal repression or international aggression.