A few weeks ago I wrote about the civil war in Sri Lanka. A number of constituents have been in touch to express anxiety about the terrible crisis that is unfolding.  I spoke at a large public meeting in the Town Hall organised by Cllr Kevin Jenkins.  The situation has deteriorated further with intensive fighting in the northern territory.

The recent violence culminated in a bloody conflict two weeks ago. The Sri Lankan military reports that it has taken all rebel-held territory in the north-east and pushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam into what was originally a no-fire zone, set up for civilians.  Some 150,000 people are trapped in this area.  Aid agencies are finding it increasingly difficult to gain access.  There are reports of terrible atrocities by the Sri Lankan military.

Thousands of Tamil protestors gathered outside Parliament last week to demand an end to the war.  Some readers of this column will have taken part in the demonstration.  Many in Newham feel very strongly about what is happening – many have friends and relatives caught up in the conflict.  I have been following events carefully.

The British Government is aiming to improve the immediate humanitarian situation and to secure a lasting political solution.  Representatives of the British Government have met with organisations from the full spectrum of interests in Sri Lanka, including charities and Sri Lankan Diaspora groups.

The conflict can only be resolved through a political process that takes into account the interests of all the communities in Sri Lanka – the Sinhalese majority, the Tamils whose longstanding unresolved grievances led to the conflict, and Muslims who form some 8% of Sri Lanka’s population.  The UK Government wants to encourage a political process after the conflict.  This will need to include international partners: the Governments which have been most closely involved, Norway, Japan, the US and the EU as well as the UK; regional players – especially India; and international organisations including the UN.

Last week, the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, said he was “very concerned at the plight of civilians caught up in the fighting between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)”.  He continued: “The LTTE must allow civilians to move to safety.  And the Government of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan military must exercise the utmost restraint.  The safety of the civilian population must be paramount”.

Gordon Brown recently appointed Des Browne MP, former Defence Secretary, as his Special Envoy to Sri Lanka.  This move was widely welcomed in Newham, but the Sri Lankan Government has so far refused to accept it.  I have been in regular contact with Des.  Just before Parliament broke for Easter, he met in the House of Commons at my request with a group of Tamil constituents convened by Newham Councillor Paul Sathianesan.  Des expressed deep concern at recent events.  He said both sides would have to accept diplomacy and be willing to compromise to achieve a peaceful outcome.

I will continue to monitor the situation in Sri Lanka closely.