Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April to Written Question 245704, whether the UK Government plans to send experts to (a) to determine whether the Chunnakam power plant in Northern Sri Lanka was responsible for pollution in that area and (b) assist in the cleanup process in that area.

We are aware of the challenges Sri Lanka faces around water management and quality. We understand that an investigation has determined that the power plant was responsible for pollution in the area, but investigations to determine the extent of pollution in the area are ongoing. We are making enquiries about the progress of the compensation scheme.

Staff at the British High Commission in Colombo are in contact with relevant officials locally to ensure that UK concerns are registered. This is not an issue on which the UK provides technical or other assistance in Sri Lanka.