Chennai (PT1): Various political outfits in Tamil Nadu on Thursday observed a day-long fast to protest the Sri Lankan army's offensive in the northern part of the island and to express solidarity with the Lankan Tamils.

The fast was called by the CPI and joined by AIADMK, DMDK of actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth and the CPI-M.

"This fast is organised to express our solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils, who are at the receiving end in Sri Lanka. Except the Congress, all other political parties have come out with their stand on the issue," CPI National Secretary D Raja said.

"It is high time, the Centre change its approach and make sure that the Rajapakse government in Sri Lanka stop its attack on Tamils and come forward to find a peaceful solution to the ethnic crisis," Raja said.

He said the Centre should protect the fishing rights of Indian fishermen around Kachatheevu island in Palk Straits and condemned the recent "attacks" on the Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Lankan marine forces.

Criticising the Indo-US nuclear deal, Raja said the Left parties had withdrawn its support to the UPA government to register its opposition to the deal. "We have opposed it and will continue to oppose it," he said.

On speculation that the decision by the AIADMK and the DMDK to join the fast could be a prelude to an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls, he said "this fast is organised only to protest against the recent attack on Sri Lankan Tamils by the island government and not keeping in view of any political alliance for the coming elections."

Senior DMDK leader Pannuruti Ramachandran said the UPA government should take steps to protect the fishing rights of Indian fishermen in Kachatheevu. The Centre should also make sure that the Sri Lankan navy stop its "attacks" on the fishermen.

CPI(M) leader W R Varadarajan said the India government should play a vital role in finding out a solution to end the ethnic conflict in the island.