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British Tamil hunger striker completes day 17

The British Tamil hunger striker, Gobi Sivanthan, was looking focused and positive, on Tuesday, 17 days into his fast. Smiling and welcoming well-wishers, Sivanthan appeared in good spirits.

Protesting against Sri Lanka's inclusion in the London 2012 Olympics, land-grabbing in the North-East and the deportation of Tamil asylum seekers, Sivanthan called for an independent war crimes investigation and the release of all Tamil prisoners of war detained without charge.

Speaking to Tamil Guardian on Tuesday, Sivanthan said he felt well and was touched by the show of support and encouragement from both London Tamils and Tamils right across the world who had been contacting him through social media sites (Twitter and Facebook)

Sivanthan added that he was encouraged by numbers of passerbys, Olympics' visitors and local residents who expressed solidarity with his cause, stopping and wishing him well as they walked by his tent.

Sivanthan began his fast on 22nd July and has pledged to fast until the closing day of the London 2012 Olympics on Sunday.

See also: British Tamils protest against Sri Lanka at the Olympics

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