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MPs to debate Sri Lankan conflict | MPs to debate Sri Lankan conflict |
(about 4 hours later) | |
MPs will debate the conflict in Sri Lanka next week as protests by British Tamils continue in central London. | MPs will debate the conflict in Sri Lanka next week as protests by British Tamils continue in central London. |
Commons Leader Harriet Harman announced the discussions, requested by the Lib Dems, would be held on Wednesday. | Commons Leader Harriet Harman announced the discussions, requested by the Lib Dems, would be held on Wednesday. |
The British Tamils Forum welcomed the move, saying it would give the public a perspective on just how many MPs were concerned about their constituents. | The British Tamils Forum welcomed the move, saying it would give the public a perspective on just how many MPs were concerned about their constituents. |
It wants the UK to end the war in the former British colony between Tamil Tiger separatists and the government. | It wants the UK to end the war in the former British colony between Tamil Tiger separatists and the government. |
On Monday, around 3,500 Tamil protesters blocked roads around Parliament Square as they demanded a ceasefire in Sri Lanka. | |
Demonstrations have been held every day since 6 April with at least 50 people holding a vigil overnight. | |
There is no medicine, no antibiotics and children are dying Suren SurendiranBritish Tamils Forum Tamil hunger strike in third week | |
'Malnourished' | 'Malnourished' |
Suren Surendiran, from the British Tamils Forum, told the BBC the situation in Sri Lanka was deteriorating: "There is no medicine, no antibiotics and children are dying. | Suren Surendiran, from the British Tamils Forum, told the BBC the situation in Sri Lanka was deteriorating: "There is no medicine, no antibiotics and children are dying. |
"There is a 17-day-old baby who is injured with a bandage around her head, but the mother can't nurse her because she is malnourished and they don't have any artificial milk powder." | "There is a 17-day-old baby who is injured with a bandage around her head, but the mother can't nurse her because she is malnourished and they don't have any artificial milk powder." |
Mr Surendiran added that protester Prarameswaran Subramaniam had been on hunger strike since 7 April and remained so. | Mr Surendiran added that protester Prarameswaran Subramaniam had been on hunger strike since 7 April and remained so. |
The 28-year-old, who has lost several family members in the conflict, has vowed not to eat again until a ceasefire is agreed. | The 28-year-old, who has lost several family members in the conflict, has vowed not to eat again until a ceasefire is agreed. |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has sent special envoy Des Browne to the United Nations in New York to try to secure a ceasefire. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has sent special envoy Des Browne to the United Nations in New York to try to secure a ceasefire. |
But the Sri Lankan government has rejected calls to cease fighting, arguing it would give the Tamil Tigers - a proscribed terrorist group in many countries, including the UK - time to regroup. | But the Sri Lankan government has rejected calls to cease fighting, arguing it would give the Tamil Tigers - a proscribed terrorist group in many countries, including the UK - time to regroup. |
The Tigers - or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam - are fighting for a separatist state in the north and east of the island. | The Tigers - or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam - are fighting for a separatist state in the north and east of the island. |
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