Lyn Brown MP has asked the Prime Minister to support a United Nations Security Council Resolution on the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka.

The MP for West Ham was one of five parliamentarians who delivered a letter to Downing Street from the British Tamils Forum on Tuesday 7 April.

Together with Tamil community activists, they urged Britain to use its membership of the UN Security Council ‘to ensure that a ceasefire is not just called for, but immediately implemented’, and to send humanitarian and medical supplies to the crisis zone.

The delegation of MPs to Downing Street was led by Siobhain McDonagh and included Joan Ryan, Lee Scott and Stephen Pound. It was accompanied by members of the British Tamils Forum including Sen Kandiah and Suren Surendiran.

Lyn Brown said:

 “Civilians are facing a humanitarian disaster in Sri Lanka, and the UK Tamil community has made repeated efforts to get government to sit up and take notice. Many of my constituents have friends and family in the area, and are deeply concerned.

 Together with a number of MPs, I have campaigned to keep this in the eye of Parliament by asking questions in the House about the actions of the Sri Lankan Government, and our Prime Minister was the first world leader to call for a ceasefire. But despite growing international pressure, the conflict continues and people are still dying. More action is urgently needed.

 It is right and proper that we raise our voices as part of the international community on this issue. Our Government must ensure that Sri Lanka, as a member of the Commonwealth, meets its responsibilities to its civilians.  

 That is why I have signed a letter calling for the issue of an immediate ceasefire to be raised at the UN Security Council.”