UK in Sri Lanka peace pledge

Police searched individuals after the suicide bomb

The UK is throwing its weight behind peace-seeking efforts in Sri Lanka, a government minister has said.

The pledge came after a senior Sri Lankan government minister and 20 other people were killed by a suicide bomber in the capital, Colombo.

When are we going to get some legislation to deal with the arms trade and arms brokers before the world descends into chaos?

MP Jenny Tonge

Foreign Office minister Peter Hain said: "A peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sri Lanka is vital and Britain stands ready to help in the search for peace if both sides want us to play such a role."

The civil war in Sri Lanka has been raging since 1983 and has killed more than 60,000 people, leaving thousands more injured or maimed. Hundreds of thousands more have been turned into refugees by the fighting.

Tamil Tiger separatists are fighting for a homeland for the minority Tamils who comprise about 18% of the 18.6 million population.

No-one admitted carrying out the attack but police blamed the Tamil Tigers.

Commonwealth plea

During a debate by MPs, Mr Hain said Britain's role at this stage was mainly to support Norway's peace initiative, which was launched in February this year.

Many civilians have been trapped by the fighting

But he warned the warring parties: "Seventeen years of conflict have made it abundantly clear that, to put it bluntly, the war is unwinnable."

Mr Hain went on: "The current situation offers the chance to break the cycle of violence. The Jaffna campaign needs to be brought to an end now. Sri Lanka's conflict has to stop."

Opening the debate, Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes urged the government to press for peace talks to start and suggested the Commonwealth take a lead.

Fellow party member Edward Davey called for an end to arms export licences to Sri Lanka.

Arms sales anger

Another Lib Dem, Dr Jenny Tonge, questioned the minister about the sales of arms from Britain to Sri Lanka, insisting they were being used for internal oppression.

"When are we going to get some legislation to deal with the arms trade and arms brokers before the world descends into chaos?" she asked.

Mr Hain said government policy was only to approve exports where they were not used for external or internal repression.

For the Tories, Cheryl Gillan said Sri Lanka needed free and fair elections.

"There is a great deal of diplomatic negotiations going on to try and bring about a cessation of violence," replied Mr Hain.