I have a petition to present on behalf of members of the Tamil diaspora in the UK, specifically from the area of Gloucester.

The petition states:

The Petition of supporters of members of the Tamil Diaspora in the United Kingdom,

Declares their deep concern about the current humanitarian crisis facing the Tamil people in northern and eastern Sri Lanka.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to call on the Sri Lankan Government for an immediate ceasefire to be implemented to prevent the unnecessary loss of innocent civilian lives; to recognise the right of the Tamil community on the island to self determination; and to allow all necessary humanitarian aid and international aid workers into the conflict zone in northern and eastern Sri Lanka instead of calling for the Tamil people to leave their traditional homes and villages.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000351]