A 73-day protest involving thousands of people demonstrating over the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka has ended.

The protest featured hunger strikes, mass sit-ins blocking central London roads and people throwing themselves into the River Thames.

One of those involved, Ambi Seevaratnam said: "After 73 days, nothing has worked. The Tamils have been betrayed by the international community."

Protesters have at times clashed with police in Parliament Square.

Last month, a senior Metropolitan Police officer warned the long protest was diverting resources from other areas.

Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said if it continued it would have a "long term" impact on crime.

Police in London chose not to use force to clear the protesters, but maintained a 24-hour presence, with the cost of the operation exceeding £10m.