Berlin - About 1,500 German-based Tamils demonstrated Friday near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin for a halt in the fighting in Sri Lanka, where civilians are caught in the cross-fire during a government offensive against Tamil rebels.

A spokeswoman said, "We are demonstrating again to press for the German government to do more to help Tamils in Sri Lanka."

The Brandenburg Gate is a central-city landmark which is much visited by tourists.

The Tamils have previously demonstrated outside Chancellor Angela Merkel's Berlin office and in the western city of Dusseldorf. (dpa)