Toronto (PTI): Marking the Sri Lankan independence day as the 'Day of Mourning', thousands of Tamils across Canada protested against what they alleged "genocide" in the island nation amid fighting between security forces and LTTE. Canadian Tamils took out candle light vigils across the country to protest against the aggravating humanitarian conditions of the civilians in the north of Sri Lanka.

They termed the conflict as "genocide" of civilians. The protest took place for the second time in a week. On Friday last, thousands of Tamils had made human chain protests here.

Meanwhile, Canada's top diplomat on Wednesday pressed for a ceasefire in the restive north of Sri Lanka to allow civilians to escape fighting between government forces and rebels.

"Canada calls for the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to declare and honour an immediate ceasefire to allow full, safe and unhindered access; the evacuation of the sick and wounded; and the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance to civilians," Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said in a statement. Cannon said, Canada "strongly condemns" the recent shelling of a hospital in Puthukkudiyiruppu, according to local media reports.

Candlelight protests were also held in prominent Canadian cities like Ottawa, Winnepeg and Vancouver yesterday. Thousands of Tamils observed Sri Lankan independence day as 'Day of Mourning', on Wednesday.