DAVEY WELCOMES SRI LANKAN CEASEFIRE

27.02.02

Edward Davey, Lib Dem MP for Kingston and Surbiton, has welcomed the news from Sri Lanka that a ceasefire has been agreed between the Colombo Government and the Tamil Tigers.

The recent ceasefire agreement is important news for many local people in Kingston Borough who either originally came from Sri Lanka or still have family and friends living there. This new initiative is a direct result of a new Government being elected in Sri Lanka in December, and the deal was brokered with the help of the Norwegian Government.

Edward Davey has worked with a number of local Tamil families whose loved ones have been killed in the civil war or have simply disappeared. He has spoken in the House of Commons in the past on the subject, is a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Sri Lanka and recently met the new Foreign Minister, Tyronne Fernando, during his recent visit to the UK.

Commenting on the news of the ceasefire, Edward Davey said:

"This is excellent news for the people of Sri Lanka. I know the many local residents with family ties back in Sri Lanka will be especially delighted.

"This war has already seen over 60,000 people killed, without counting the many thousands who have disappeared without trace. It is one of the world's unforgotten wars, but one of its worst.

"While the ceasefire is in its early days and the follow-up talks in the preliminary stages, this news is the best ray of hope Sri Lanka has had for many years.

"I will continue to do all that I can with British MPs from all parties to push our Government to support these talks and the role of the Norwegians as much as possible."