Pope speaks for Tamil refugees in Sri Lanka

Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday urged the international community to expand humanitarian and economic aid to war-affected Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

"The international community should do everything possible to help resolve the humanitarian and economic problems faced by Sri Lanka," he said in an appeal.

Speaking to the general audience in Paul VI Hall, the pontiff praised the efforts made by the authorities last six months after the government's victory over the rebel Tamil Tigers.

"We note with satisfaction the efforts being made by the authorities over recent weeks, to facilitate the return home of people displaced by the war," he said, adding "an acceleration in this process" was required.

He also urged the citizens to "work towards rapid pacification in full respect for human rights, and towards a just political solution to the challenges still facing the country."

He continued that he hopes the "international community will strive to meet the humanitarian and economic needs of Sri Lanka."

In May this year, Sri Lanka defeated the Liberation Tamil Tiger Eelam (LTTE), bringing an end to the 26-year-old civil war that left some 70,000 dead and 265,000 Tamil civilians displaced.

Several human rights organisations, meanwhile, say abuse and violence is still suffered by thousands languishing in relief camps.

As of September 15, 2009, the government was holding 264,583 internally displaced persons in detention camps and hospitals, according to the UN, while fewer than 12,000 have been released or returned home.