Give displaced Tamils aid: Gordon Brown

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he had urged Sri Lanka's president to ensure thousands of people displaced by the army's victory over the Tamil Tigers receive humanitarian aid.

Brown said yesterday, he had spoken to President Mahinda Rajapakse and told him to involve Tamils in an inclusive political future for the country. "I have offered humanitarian aid, but asked him to ensure that displaced persons are given the humanitarian aid that they need urgently," Brown said.

"This is potentially a humanitarian problem of very high proportions as there large numbers of displaced persons."

Brown added, "I've told him that he must begin a political process for involving the Tamil people and other communities in his country."