The 27-year-old is dehydrated and weak with hunger but says he is willing to die to raise awareness about human rights violations in Sri Lanka.

Speaking through an interpreter on the lawns in front of The Lodge, in Canberra, Mr Thanabalasingam, who is one of six men on a hunger strike, said there was no other option open to him.

''I have nothing left,'' Mr Thanabalasingam said. ''I have not been able to contact my family for six months. I don't know if they are alive or dead ... my mother was confined indefinitely in a Sri Lankan government-controlled detention camp and my father lost a leg through government attacks.''

The fasting group was joined by more than 100 supporters who want Australia to take a greater role in efforts to end the violence in Sri Lanka.

''My family and all the other Tamil civilians in North East Sri Lanka are being bombed constantly,'' Mr Thanabalasingam said.

The men are calling for an immediate ceasefire, access to food, medicine and aid into the conflict zone and free movement for all people.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times