1 July 2009 - The New Zealand Government needs to have a stronger voice in championing the cause of the 250,000 Tamil civilians currently being held in Northern Sri Lanka following the successful campaign against the LTTE by the Sri Lankan military.

21 April 2009 - As 35,000 people today fled Sri Lanka's conflict zone, the UN Children's Fund said it held grave fears for those children who remain trapped in escalating fighting.

29 January 2009 - Labour Associate Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Grant Robertson today endorsed the call of the UN Secretary-General for absolute priority to be given to the protection of civilians caught up in the conflict in Northern Sri Lanka.