§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the peace process in Sri Lanka. [133060]
§ Mr. Mike O'Brien[holding answer 20 October 2003]We support the Sri Lankan peace process both politically and practically, and welcome the remarkable progress that has been made since February 2002 when the current ceasefire came into effect. Although the peace talks are currently suspended, the ceasefire is holding. Proposals for an interim administration in the North and East have been put forward by the Government of Sri Lanka, and we hope that the540W Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will shortly table a counter-proposal that will enable all parties to return to the negotiating table.