Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Sri Lankan counterpart on the treatment of Sri Lankan nationals in the British Indian Ocean Territory.

The welfare and safety of Sri Lankan Nationals in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) has been a top priority for the BIOT Administration. The migrants have received dedicated 24-hours-a-day medical support, access to telecoms, food, education and facilities for welfare, recreation and religious worship. In April, the Permanent Under Secretary met with the Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary where, on the Foreign Secretary's behalf, he discussed BIOT and illegal migration. He also thanked the Sri Lankan Government for facilitating the voluntary return of migrants; 133 have so far returned home in this manner.