Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of freedom of religion or belief in Sri Lanka.

The UK regularly raises human rights concerns with the Sri Lankan Government, including the importance of religious tolerance and protecting the rights of all citizens to practice their faith. Our High Commission regularly meets with representatives of religious minorities, including Muslims and Christians, to hear their concerns, and maintains a regular dialogue with the Government of Sri Lanka across a range of human rights issues. This includes the implementation of human rights and reconciliation commitments under UNHRC resolution 30/1.

In addition, the UK is providing £8.3 million from the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (2016 to 2019) for projects in Sri Lanka, including inter-faith dialogue and mediation. On 23 April the Minister for Asia and the Pacific met members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sri Lankan Muslims to hear their concerns.