Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Sri Lankan Government’s announcement of 27 February 2020 that it would withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council resolution 30/1, whether she has raised human rights during the current trade negotiations with the Sri Lankan Government.

Sri Lanka is a valuable trading partner for Britain. Whilst HM Government has not yet undertaken any formal trade negotiations with Sri Lanka, both countries have expressed a mutual commitment to identifying and reducing barriers to trade, and are actively seeking ways to further enhance our trading relationship.

HM Government has raised rights and responsibilities with the Government of Sri Lanka, as part of wide-ranging discussions between the Foreign Secretary and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.