Displaced Tamil families who launched a travelling signature campaign this week reached Vavuniya yesterday before beginning the journey to Colombo today. 

The 'caravan protest' began in Keppapulavu, Mullaitivu on Tuesday where families have been protesting for over 730 days against the Sri Lankan military's occupation of their lands. 

The protest continue in spite of police harassment and threats. 

The protesters, who are predominantly women, were photographed and warned against conducting their protest during the launch. 

The mobile campaign van travelled from Mullaitivu to Kilinochchi, Jaffna, then Mannar, before reaching Vavuniya yesterday. It is to travel to Negombo today before going to Colombo.

Although almost ten years have passed since the end of the armed conflict the Sri Lankan military continues to control and occupy vast swathes of land in the Tamil homeland, forcing families to remain displaced.

Keppapulavu families began their prolonged campaign for their homes in March 2017. The campaign, which has seen widespread support among Tamils across the North-East and diaspora worldwide, has reached out to several international bodies, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

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On January 28, residents of Keppapulavu intensified their campaign to have their lands released from Sri Lankan army occupation, getting as close to the camp and their lands as possible while military personnel and police were deployed to hold them back.