Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will review his Department's defence engagement programme with Sri Lanka in light of reported human rights abuses in that country.

Our Defence Engagement programme with Sri Lanka is to encourage the development of a modern, accountable and human rights compliant military. Promoting adherence to international humanitarian law and human rights compliance is integral to our engagement. We constantly review our relationship with the Government of Sri Lanka and continuously monitor the context and viability of the approach, to ensure that UK assistance and engagement is in line with our values and is consistent with our domestic and international human rights obligations.

The UK Government will continue to work with international partners and press for truth, reconciliation, accountability and justice following the conflict in Sri Lanka, to ensure all communities can live peacefully.