Fears grow for hunger strike pair

[John]

The men, who are refusing to take even liquids, have been on hunger strike since Monday.

They are Sivatharsan Sivakumaraval, 21, and Prarameswaran Subramaniam, 28, both students from Mitcham in south London.

They were joined by 400 Tamil protesters who continued their occupation of London's Parliament Square as the Tamil rally entered its third day. The group want the UK government to take action to help protect the Tamils in their homeland.

The Sri Lankan government has rejected international calls for a ceasefire, claiming it is on the verge of defeating the Tamil Tigers, a rebel group which is fighting for an independent homeland.

Concerns for the two hunger protesters will mount as the length of their enforced starvation continues. Dr Jayendran Namasivayam, a radiologist at Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone, east London, has been helping to look after the men.

They have signed statements proclaiming they are on "hunger strike until the last breath with full heart" and will not stop until their demands are met.

The demands include a ceasefire and that food and medical aid be allowed to reach civilians.

On Thursday night Mr Sivakumaraval woke briefly. Asked how long he was willing to continue his hunger strike, he said: "Until we get our requests." Pressed on whether he was willing to die for his cause, he said: "Yes, for sure."

The 21-year-old has reportedly been on hunger strike since Monday evening while his fellow hunger striker has had no food or water since Monday at 6am.

[JohnCenaFan28]

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