Sri Lanka (Hansard, 15 June 2000)

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Commonwealth counterparts concerning a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Sri Lanka. [125814]

§ Mr. Hain
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have spoken to our Indian counterparts about the need for a political settlement in Sri Lanka. We told them that we recognised the importance of India's role in the search for peace. We have not yet held discussions with other Commonwealth partners.

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with(a) his EU counterparts and (b) his UN counterparts concerning the implementation of an arms embargo on Sri Lanka. [125815]

§ Mr. Hain
None.

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his UN counterparts concerning the sending of a human rights monitor to Sri Lanka. [125816]

§ Mr. Hain
The human rights situation in Sri Lanka was discussed at this year's UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. We monitor the situation carefully and maintain close and regular contact with international partners, including the UN and NGOs.

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed the issue of access by non-governmental organisations to facilitate aid distribution with the Government of Sri Lanka. [125817]

§ Mr. Hain
Our High Commission in Colombo last discussed these concerns, and the humanitarian situation in the Jaffna peninsula as a whole, on 30 May.