Tamil Hunger Strike Continuing

Rachel Holdsworth
By Rachel Holdsworth Last edited 179 months ago
Tamil Hunger Strike Continuing

They may not be at the forefront of the news any more, but don't think the British Tamils' protest has ended. Two students from Mitcham, Siviatharsun Sivakumarave and Parameswarn Subramaniyan, went on hunger strike last Tuesday in attempt to force the UK government to push for a ceasefire by Sri Lanka in its fight against the Tamil Tigers.

Mr Sivakumarave has now suspended his fast after Bermondsey MP Simon Hughes arranged for a delegation to travel to the UN, while Mr Subramaniyan is drinking water but still refusing food. They are two of a number of Tamils who have publicly committed suicide, or tried to - generally by setting themselves alight, although there are other hunger strikers in Canada and Australia - to raise awareness of the war in northern Sri Lanka, where the Tamils want an independent state.

Last Updated 15 April 2009