Colburn discusses the tragic events during Sri Lanka's civil war, including the Mullivaikkal massacre, highlighting the need for justice and accountability. He also addresses current economic instability and calls for reforms such as reducing military spending, removing the military from commercial activities, meeting GSP+ criteria, re-engaging with UNHRC, and imposing sanctions on individuals accused of war crimes.

McDonagh commends Colburn's speech and agrees that the cited atrocities fit the definition of genocide, emphasising the need for action to promote peace and justice in Sri Lanka.

Dhesi thanks Colburn for securing the debate and expresses concern over militarisation and human rights violations during Sri Lanka's economic crisis, urging the UK to support fair development through trade policy.

Ferrier shares concerns about vague laws facilitating arbitrary arrests in Sri Lanka and hindering access to justice for activists at risk.

Shannon agrees that accountability extends not only to generals but also to soldiers who carry out commands, emphasising the importance of catching all perpetrators in war crimes trials.

Villiers expresses concern over current military spending levels being higher than during the civil war and their contribution to Sri Lanka's debt crisis.

Rodda agrees on the importance of demonstrating support for fair development in trade policy with Sri Lanka, emphasising the need for justice through trade agreements.

McDonnell highlights the harassment of journalists and closure of free media in Sri Lanka over recent months, advocating for tackling corruption via a free press as a condition for aid or relationship.

Mr Davey expressed concern over Sri Lanka's eligibility for GSP+ benefits, noting that the UK supported granting these benefits to Sri Lanka despite clear breaches of conditions. He criticised the argument that trade benefits enable influence over Sri Lanka without evidence of improvement in human rights conditions. He argued for stronger measures including sanctions and international accountability mechanisms such as the ICC.

Thanked the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Elliot Colburn) for securing the debate, agreed that it is a development priority to support women's empowerment around the world, expressed concern over the failure of the Office on Missing Persons in Sri Lanka, highlighted ongoing human rights issues affecting Tamils, Muslims, Sinhala people, and others. Emphasised the need for the UK Government to push strongly at the UN Human Rights Council for Sri Lankan compliance with resolutions 30/1 and 51/1; called for progress on an international mechanism for accountability, sanctions against war criminals, measures to combat cronyism and corruption in bailouts from international institutions, and a new constitutional settlement ensuring power sharing and political equality.

Expressed deep concern about the lack of progress on women’s rights in Sri Lanka, noting that girls can still be married from as young as 12 and women remain second-class citizens. Agreed with the right hon. Member for Highwood (Theresa Villiers) that further support is needed to address these issues.

Thanked colleagues from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils for securing the debate, highlighted ongoing challenges faced by the Tamil community since the end of the Sri Lankan civil war, expressed concern over rising inflation, shortages of basic essentials like food and medicine, and the impact on poverty levels. Criticised the current regime's failure to address human rights abuses, proposed that financial assistance from the IMF should be conditional upon democratic reforms and accountability measures for the Tamil community. Raised concerns about the use of anti-terror legislation against protesters and the effectiveness of the Office on Missing Persons in Sri Lanka.

Highlighted a tragic irony where constituents have gone to Sri Lanka to look for disappeared individuals only to disappear themselves, stressing the failure of the system in addressing accountability and conducting effective investigations.

It is important to remember and acknowledge the hardship faced by the Tamil community due to economic mismanagement in Sri Lanka, leading to inflation, power blackouts, and fuel rationing. Tamils face ongoing oppression with a high military presence and soaring defence spending. The UK must use its international standing to support peaceful political reform, impose conditionalities for demilitarisation from IMF assistance, and recognise the crimes against Tamils as genocide.

I am deeply concerned about the ongoing violence and suppression of protesters in Sri Lanka due to the economic crisis. Peaceful demonstrators face arbitrary detention, including disruptions by plain-clothes officers during memorial activities for Tamil heroes. The UK must support Sri Lanka with immediate economic and political help while also ensuring accountability and justice for past human rights abuses. I urge the Government to sanction individuals accused of war crimes under the global human rights sanctions regime.

Sri Lanka is experiencing a severe economic crisis with food inflation over 90%, hunger affecting millions, and limited access to healthcare. The country has defaulted on $55 billion in debt and lacks foreign exchange reserves for essentials. Protests demanding democratic change have faced brutal state repression under the current presidency. There are concerns about the use of draconian laws against peaceful protesters and plans to introduce a Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill that could lead to mass internment camps. The UK should call on multilateral institutions to cancel debt collection, push for an end to terror laws targeting protesters, halt the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill, and assist in repatriating hidden reserves from overseas accounts. Amnesty International's recommendations for a debt amnesty and international aid tied to human rights improvements should be central to any response.

Sri Lanka has significant natural resources but is plagued by extreme wealth disparities due to the political and military complex controlling the economy for its own interests. This situation has led to mismanagement and calculated management aimed at enriching those in power, exacerbating economic inequality.

I am pleased to speak in this debate, Madam Deputy Speaker. I thank the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Elliot Colburn) for securing it and for setting the scene so well... Freedom of religion or belief is important not just because it protects the rights of the most vulnerable in society, but because it is a right that fosters respect among others, reduces corruption, encourages broader freedoms, develops the economy and multiplies international trust in a country.

Mr Law noted that Sri Lanka's economic crisis is a humanitarian one, exacerbated by inflation, shortages of imported goods, and food insecurity affecting over 6.3 million people. He called for increased aid commitments from the UK Government, including debt cancellation to ensure funds are spent effectively in local communities. Mr Law also emphasised the importance of addressing human rights violations and ensuring accountability for past abuses, as well as the need for proactive prevention of further conflicts.

The hon. Member congratulates other Members for securing the debate, emphasising the long-standing campaigning role of her colleagues on this issue. She raises concerns about increased militarisation in Sri Lanka and disproportionate spending on arms versus basic needs. The Member also highlights human rights abuses during the 2009 civil war and calls for updates from the Minister regarding recent engagements with Sri Lankan authorities, potential sanctions against individuals involved in human rights abuses, and conditionality tied to IMF funding. She asks about measures to bring justice to those accused of such abuses.

Acknowledges contributions from members and expresses gratitude for their support. Emphasises the UK's long-standing ties with Sri Lanka and highlights the economic crisis caused by mismanagement, terror attacks, pandemic, and Ukraine conflict. Discusses the role of the IMF, World Bank, UN, ADB, and Paris Club in providing financial assistance to Sri Lanka, noting an initial $3 billion support programme agreement with the IMF. Mentions humanitarian aid provided by the UK, including £3 million announced in September for distribution through Red Cross and UN partners. Addresses human rights concerns and the use of multilateral forums like the UN to push forward human rights progress alongside economic recovery.

Interjects that international bodies should impose conditions on military spending, cronyism, and corruption if they are to propose any economic conditions for Sri Lanka's bail-out.

Intervenes to express concern over the lack of action from the Government despite having the capacity to send a strong message against human rights violations in Sri Lanka, especially concerning the Tamil community.

Summarizes the debate's concerns about increased militarisation and human rights violations in Sri Lanka. Urges the Government to revisit their strategies for promoting human rights on the island of Sri Lanka, emphasising the need for bilateral action by the UK.

Paid tribute to the Clerks for organising the ballot, thanked colleagues for their campaign and expressed gratitude towards her predecessor. She also congratulated everyone who voted in the election.

Announced the results of the vote for the Committee Chair position and congratulated Harriett Baldwin on her victory.

Congratulated Harriett Baldwin on winning the election, praised the campaign's courteous nature, and thanked everyone who voted as well as the Clerks.