More members of the United States Congress have voiced support for Tamil demands for justice following the discovery of mass graves in Chemmani, as pressure mounts on Sri Lanka to allow an international investigation into atrocities committed during the armed conflict.

The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission stated,

Students from the University of Jaffna's medical faculty held a commemoration event on campus yesterday to remember Lt Col Thileepan and the sacrifice he made 38 years ago. 

The students gathered on campus to light candles and lay flowers by a portrait of Lt Col Thileepan who fasted unto death in September 1987. 

Tamils in Wutterpal, Germany marked 38 years since Lt Col Thileepan began his fast unto death, which he undertook to press the Indian government to uphold its commitments to the Tamil people. 

Lt Col Thileepan, born Rasiah Partheepan, put forward five demands to the Indian government before he began his hunger strike on 15th September 1987. 

A mass rally was held today in Geneva, Switzerland, to renew demands for justice and international accountability for the Tamil genocide, as Sri Lanka features on the agenda of the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). 

Hundreds of Tamils gathered outside the UNHRC to call on the international community to refer Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court for carrying out a genocide against the Tamil nation. 

A memorial float dedicated to Lt Col Thileepan, who fasted unto death in September 1987, will travel through the North-East this week as the Tamil nation remembers his sacrifice 38 years on. 

The procession, led by the Tamil National People's Front's (TNPF) Amparai district organiser Dushananthan, began in Thirukovil, Amparai and travelled through Alaiyadevembu, Karaitivu, Valathappitty, Veeramunai and Kalmunai. 

Tamils in Jaffna and Mullaitivu marked 38 years since Lt Col Thileepan began his hunger strike at Nallur Kandaswamy temple in protest against the failure of the Indian government to honour the pledges made it to the Tamil people. 

Lt Col Thileepan, a political wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), began his fast on the 15th September 1987, surrounded by over 100,000 supporters. He died 11 days later on the 26th September 1987 after refusing food and water.