British Tamils Forum (BTF) elegantly celebrated Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage event in collaboration with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPG for Tamils) in the British Parliament on Wednesday, 15 January 2025. With the advent of Labour government in the United Kingdom followed by the reappointment of BTF for the Secretariat function of the APPG for Tamils, the BTF has strengthened its advocacy potential at an enhanced level. Cross party Members of Parliament attended this event and enjoyed the celebration despite the severe weather condition.

The following MPs & Lord attended:

1.⁠ ⁠ Dame Siobhain McDonagh MP - Mitcham and Morden

2. Helen Grant MP - Maidstone and Malling

3. Uma Kumaran MP - Stratford and Bow

4. Liam Conlon MP - Beckenham and Penge

5. Deidre Costigan MP - Ealing Southall

6. Rt Hon Sir Ed Davey MP - Kingston and Surbiton

7. Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP - East Ham

8. Bobby Dean MP - Carshalton and Wallington

9. Luke Taylor MP - Sutton and Cheam

10. Luke Murphy MP - Basingstoke

11. Paul Kohler MP - Wimbledon

12. Valerie Vaz MP - Walsall and Bloxwich

13. Peter Lamb MP - Crawley

14. Jo White MP - Bassetlaw

15. Emily Darlington MP - Milton Keynes Central

16. Gurinder Singh Josan CBE MP - Smethwick

17. Janet Daby MP - Lewisham East

18. Catherine West MP - Hornsey and Friern Barnet

19. Dawn Butler MP - Brent East

20. Daniel Francis MP - Bexleyheath and Crayford

21. Natasha Irons MP - Croydon East

22. David Pinto-Duschinsky MP - Hendon

23. Jas Athwal MP - Ilford South

24. Chris Curtis MP - Milton Keynes North

25. James Edward Asser MP - West Ham and Beckton

26. Jim Dickson MP - Dartford

27. Lord John Mann

The highlight of the event was the presence of Smt Vanathi Srinivasan MLA (Tamil Nadu, India) and the National President of the Women’s Wing BJP at the event.

Smt Vanathi Srinivasan MLA, National President of the Women’s Wing BJP

Thai Pongal is to show our gratitude to Mother Nature by celebrating Thai Pongal. Thai Pongal is about the first harvest of rice, to take it from the earth, and after boiling it, mixing it with the jaggery the sweetness, to add sweetness to our life. This is a community festival, and it is not only being celebrated in Tamil Nadu, it is being celebrated in the entirety of India. Different states are celebrating this harvest festival with different names.

It is a good time, because after this Pongal the people start celebrating the marriages in their family… they do all the good things in their life. On Thai Pongal, we used to say “தை பிறந்தால் வழி பிறக்கும்" (the prosperity begins with the arrival of the month of January)- it is not only for individuals, it is also for communities and for countries. I give my good wishes to the MPs who are here to witness the festival and take part in this great event that is showing the cultural heritage of the Tamil Community, the gratitude to Mother Nature and showing gratitude to the people.

Referring the praises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on more than 2,000-year-old Tamil Language having the great literature, and its culture whenever he faced international forum, Vanathi stated that the Prime Minister Modi always stood for equality and culture of Tamils. She also praised that it was the only Indian PM Modi who visited Jaffna and he takes utmost interest to the welfare of Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

She added as she being the ruling party national president of Women’s Wing, she always assured that the Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) had a very strong relationship and respect to the sentiments of the Tamil Community across the world.

She concluded her speech by congratulating the organisers of the event, the British Tamils Forum, and all the MPs and thanked the organisers for giving her the opportunity to join this celebration.

To accommodate the overwhelming crowd, the BTF facilitated the event in two halls simultaneously and impose limitation on the attendees to the event. While thanking the British Tamil community for their tremendous support, the BTF shares its sincere regrets if anyone was not permitted to the function.

The BTF shares its genuine gratitude for the unequalled support of the British Parliamentarians, especially to Vice Chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPG T) Uma Kumaran MP and Bobby Dean MP, Lord Mann, and Jo White MP, who have given the BTF their support to conduct another successful event at Westminster parliament. BTF has been conducting this event since 2011 in collaboration with Harrow Council initially and extended to Parliament since 2018 to promote the Tamil culture, art, rich contribution to the world and youth participation and to recognise the month of January as the Tamil Heritage Month by the UK political establishment.

Several Members of Parliament, dignitaries and Lord Mann participated in the event and shared their greetings and well wishes to the Tamil people while they enjoyed the Tamil cultural celebration and the food. While appreciating and congratulating Tamil people for their high-spirited love to their heritage and language, majority of them did not fail to recall the atrocities that Tamil people faced during the genocidal war in Sri Lanka. Majority of them ascertained their continued support for establishing justice for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and to pave a pathway for a permanent political solution for Tamil people in Sri Lanka to live in peace and harmony with equal rights.

Uma Kumaran MP, Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT)

As a Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT), Uma Kumaran MP thanked the British Tamils Forum for being the Secretariat for APPGT. She said it’s a huge privilege to be able to celebrate Tamil culture, heritage and traditions in the heart of Westminster.

She continued saying that her duty would first and foremost be to her constituents in Stratford and Bow but she will also take the responsibility for being the voice in Parliament for our community.

Uma further said

“As a community we have absolutely persevered despite we have endured the worst of suffering hardship and pain. We have been resilient and determined to rebuild our lives not only here in Britain but throughout the world. We have not just rebuilt and survived but we have thrived.

The contribution of Tamil community to Britain is immense. We are here to celebrate Thai Pongal – Harvest Festival. We also remember why we are here and why we are here in Britain.

Our community has endured immense persecution, suffering and pain. It has been more than a decade since the end of the horrendous civil war in Sri Lanka and we still haven’t had justice.

I am here for you as a voice fighting day –in day-out working with our government

· to secure Magnitsky style sanctions.

· to call for an ICC (International Criminal Court) referral.

· to make sure that the worst perpetrators of human rights abuses and atrocities are held to account.

So that we can move forward for justice, for accountability and for reconciliation”.

She said the next generation can achieve whatever they want to achieve.

Uma concluded her speech by saying that she would always be a voice for our community.

Catherine West MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) Catherine West having endorsed what Uma Kumaran MP said continued her speech. She said we are celebrating Thai Pongal, to remember the good things about life.

Having thanked Uma for reminding the difficult history, Catherine said that when she goes to Sri Lanka, she would say that Pongal was celebrated in the UK Parliament.

Among other things that Catherine spoke, Catherine concluded her speech by stating the importance of the truth and reconciliation that Uma mentioned in her speech.

The Rt Hon. Sir Stephen Timms MP, East Ham

Having wished happy Pongal to everybody, Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms expressed his pleasure in participating Pongal Event in East Ham on the previous day among a big crowd. Sir Stephen Timms added his happiness to be at this function today and appreciated the preservation of Tamil culture in temples, Tamil schools and dance classes that strongly unite the Tamil community.

Upon congratulating to everything what the growing Tamil community does to contribute to the wider community in the UK, Sir Stephen Timms referred the first Tamil heritage MP, Uma Kumaran as his next-door neighbour as invaluable.

By recalling the lapse of 15 years since the end of the war, Sir Stephen Timms reminded that there was a lot to be done to fulfil the aspirations of Tamil people and concluded his speech to celebrate the event of the day to which the huge crowd has gathered for.

Emily Darlington MP, Milton Keynes Central

After recollecting the last Christmas gathering, Emily shared her gratitude to serve Tamil community along with Ms Uma Kumaran MP. Expressing her soul was on the campaign on Tamil peoples’ issues along with Uma Kumaran, who has the whole host of MPs’ support, including 3 MPs from Milton Keynes.

Luke Murphy MP, Basingstoke

Upon greeting and thanking for inviting for the Thai Pongal Event, Luke expressed his proudness of the range of communities in Basingstoke, particularly the Tamil community and shared his views along with Darlington MP Emily and other colleagues to support the issues faced by Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

Jo White MP, Bassetlaw

Referring to her great friend George Nixon, a Tamil victim from Sri Lanka, telling her husband (Lord Mann) about what was happening in Sri Lanka, Jo stated that she had organised an event at the Labour Party Conference to a wide group of Labour Party members about exactly what was happening in Sri Lanka at that time.

Jo added that it would be her duty to support Tamil people and in September 2024 she went out to the United Nations in Geneva where she could speak up for Tamil people. Jo continued that she would be using every opportunity to further Tamil peoples’ cause.

Jo concluded stating that her door would be open to help at any time for the BTF on Tamil peoples’ issues.

Bobby Dean MP, Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT)

Referring to his displeasure of passing HRC 57/1 Resolution in October 2024 with no further changes to the previous HRC 51/1 in October 2022 at the UNHRC Geneva, assured his continued support to fight for justice and accountability. As a representative of Tamil people in his constituency, Bobby stated that it was his job to advocate for the cause of Tamil people. Bobby, after admiring the fantastic performances in the celebration and concluded his speech by thanking for inviting him to the event.

Rt Hon Sir Ed Davey MP, Kingston & Surbiton, Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Sir Ed evoked that his journey with Tamil people since 1997, when individual who came to his surgery seeking help to track down his disappeared cousin after taken by the Sri Lankan army.

Upon verification with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Ed said that he found that Tamil peoples’ struggle had been there for so long.

By recalling another case of a man who was deported to Sri Lanka by the British Government after losing his appeal, despite Sir Ed seeking the minister’s help, was arrested in Sri Lanka when he got back.

Expressing his displeasure of these stories, Sir Ed was determined to raise the issues more and more by working with Tamil people in his constituency and across the country he had gathered a great number of friends and had understood the rich, historic culture that he had not known before.

Sir Ed, by recollecting the meeting with late Mr Anton Balasingham along with Sir Simon Hughes; whom Sir Ed referred as a great friend of Tamil people; when Mr Anton Balasingham was getting treatment in London for his illness, praised Mr Anton Balasingham as a real thoughtful leader for the Tamil community.

Sir Ed reminisced and stated the serious political leader Mr Anton Balasingham’s concepts should have been taken to a high level, but the journey had been ups and downs. Referring to the falling away of the early days novelty Norway’s active involvement of a peace deal, and resulting in the tragedy of 2009, Sir Ed extended his support for the hard campaign for an international independent investigation on the atrocity crimes to hold those people accountable for the atrocities they were responsible for.

Sharing his fullest cooperation to work along with the cross-party MPs on Tamil peoples’ issues not only on specific issues, but also to institute human rights and justice in Sri Lanka, and Tamil diaspora across the world.

Sir Ed stated that he and his colleague Bobby Dean MP, among others, would go to Geneva to the Human Rights Council to pursue Tamil peoples’ aspirations, amid foreseeing new potential diplomatic challenges that might arise with the emergence of new leaders in the world political arena, especially in Sri Lanka and the United States.

Sir Ed ended his speech by thanking for inviting him to the function and stating what happens in Sri Lanka is influenced by the India – China relationship in the region and the UK has to voice in the international arena for the justice and human rights in Sri Lanka.

Paul Kohler MP, Wimbledon

Praising the Tamil community for its contribution to Britain in health sector, professional sectors and to entrepreneurship, Paul expressed his proudness of the Tamil community in his constituency.

Sharing the pain and suffering that Tamil people in Sri Lanka, Paul said that all parties were aware of the plight of Tamil people in Sri Lanka and would stand with them for their equal rights in Sri Lanka.

Referring to the celebration of harvest festival with cultural events with colourful costumes, Paul mentioned that there was so much that Western Culture could learn from Tamil culture.

Luke Taylor MP, Sutton and Cheam

After thanking for the invitation, Luke expressed his hope for a real action towards righting some of the wrongs that were cast upon Tamil people in Sri Lanka years ago.

Referring to the issues that Bobby Dean, Sir Ed Davey and Jo White have raised Luke stated that travelling to organisations like the UN to raise the historical injustice and to talk about the ongoing discrimination and challenges could pave a pathway to a solution.

Luke added that he would be working on this matter with the people in his constituency.

Luke concluded his speech by thanking for the invitation to this event, while looking forward to attending the Tamil Heritage Month Celebration in Sutton on Saturday.

Natasha Irons MP, Croydon East

Mentioning working with Councillor Appu, Natasha shared her support to the Tamil community including becoming a member of All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils and also mentioned that there was lot to be done to Tamil community for which she would seek Uma Kumaran’s assistance.

Stating that she has been very lucky to have grown up in Mitcham and Morden where MP Siobhain McDonagh has been doing a lot of work for the community for a long time, she hoped that in some small way she could play her part.

Peter Lamb MP, Crawley

After stating that he has been celebrating Pongal for the past 10 years with Crawley Tamil community, Paul emphasised the importance of preserving Tamil heritage. Paul shared his concern on the atrocious crimes that took place in 2009 in Sri Lanka.

Several Councillors too attended the event, and they too admired the high spiritedness of the celebration and equally extended their support for the BTF’s enduring effort to establish justice and accountability for the victims of Sri Lanka’s genocidal war. Among them Councillor Alia made the following speech synchronising with the pledges made by members of Parliament.

Councillor Alia, Lewisham

After greeting Happy Pongal to all, Councillor Alia promised her support to Tamil people on their demand for justice, accountability and reconciliation. She was instrumental in passing a resolution in the Lewisham Council to recognise the month of January as Tamil Heritage Month.

The celebration was elegant, there have been folk dances, dramas, musical performances presented by several beautifully and colourfully dressed children and youth of various ages partaking from different parts of the United Kingdom. These children were honoured with certificates as a token of appreciating their love for their own heritage. The BTF sincerely thank their parents and teachers for their diligence.

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