To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Sri Lankan Government on the (a) rights of Sri Lankan Christians to practise their faith and (b) attack on a prayer centre in Paharaiya in North West Sri Lanka on 5 January 2017.
Answered on
16 March 2017
The freedom to practise, change or share your faith or belief without discrimination or violent opposition is a fundamental human right that all people should enjoy. We condemn all violence against religious minorities, including the attack on a church in North West Sri Lanka in January. The UK regularly raises human rights concerns with the Sri Lankan government. Most recently, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble Friend, the Rt Hon. the Baroness Anelay of St Johns, stressed the importance of Sri Lanka protecting the rights of all its citizens when she met the Sri Lankan Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during her visit to Sri Lanka in November 2016.