Displaced Tamil families in Paravipanchan, Kilinochchi last week ended their hunger strike against the Sri Lankan military's occupation of their land, after the Tamil National Alliance leader, R Sampanthan assured them the land would be released within two weeks. 

In a series of video clips published by LankaSri, the elderly TNA leader is seen getting out of a vehicle to be met with the full team of key TNA figures, including the spokesperson, M A Sumanthiran, the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi leader, Mavai Senathirajah, the Uthayan editor and TNA MP, Saravanabhavan and the Kilinochchi MP, S Sritharan. 

Mr Sritharan then proceeds to inform Mr Sampanthan about what is happening, gesturing towards the villagers who had gathered to protest. 

After listening to the complaints of the protesting IDPs, Mr Sampanthan seated next to Mr Senathirajah turns to Mr Sumanthiran who is stood behind him to his left and asks, "have you got Hettiarachchi's number with you?"

In a subsequent video clip, Mr Sampanthan is seen speaking to the defence secretary about the villagers plight. 

"Sampanthan. I'm alright, I'm under a tree in Paravipanchan," he is heard saying on the telephone, before proceeding in Sinhala. 

"25 families are carrying on a fast. I'm with them," he continued in English. 

"Can't you do something to release that land immediately?"

Speaking to LankaSri, Mr Sampanthan explained he had spoken to the defence secretary who had assured him the land would be released within two weeks. 

Mr Sritharan tells the protesters to be patient if the release is delayed by one day or one week here or there, adding that they should remember how much they had achieved.