Uma Kumaran, a British national of Sri Lankan descent, has been successful in her bid to be elected as the first MP of Stratford and Bow in the United Kingdom. Contesting from the Labour Party, she has been elected after securing 19145 votes in the UK’s general election held on July 04.

In an exclusive interview with the Tamil Guardian, Uma Kumaran revealed she was born in East London, where her parents first lived when they came to the UK – fleeing Sri Lanka’s armed conflict.

Responding to questions on issues the Tamils care about, such as war crimes, she said it was genuinely unbelievable that to date, no one has been held accountable for the war crimes that took place in the run-up to and during May 2009 in Sri Lanka.

“We will never forget the devastation, the loss of life, loss of land. Those images of hundreds of thousands of our people sheltering in the sand, in the narrowest of strips of land, the deliberate shelling of hospitals and Red Cross sites, the so-called “no fire zone”. And the torture and sexual violence they subject Tamil men and women to – we will never forget.

“And after that, the aftermath, a whole generation growing up without families, men, women and children with the mental and physical scars of war. I don’t like to recall it in such detail, but we need to know our history,” she said.

Uma Kumaran also expressed frustration on the fact that as Sri Lanka is not a party to the Rome statute or signed up to ICC – the only way justice can be served is by referring through the UN Security Council.

“Labour has been clear on our commitment to work towards lasting peace, reconciliation and a long-lasting political solution for the Tamil people. Labour has already committed to supporting and ensuring that Tamils get the accountability that we deserve, and that this will form part of the key foreign policy priorities should there be a Labour government. If I am elected on the 4 July, I will actively engage with international organisations such as the United Nations, particularly the UN Human Rights Council, and NGOs.

“People must be held to account through the International Criminal Court. We must amplify our call for justice on a global stage. I will advocate for diplomatic efforts that encourage other countries to support the referral of Sri Lanka to the ICC,” she said.

On her stand on Canada’s parliament recognising May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, Umara Kumaran said she believes the recognition of Tamil genocide should be a core aim of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Tamils.

“By uniting efforts across party lines, MPs can present a more compelling case to the government and increase the chances of achieving recognition. I know this is a very important issue for the Tamil community and that the Canadian Parliament has chosen to recognise that, similar to how parliament here passed a motion in 2021 concerning the Uyghur people. I feel that it is something that should definitely be explored with regard to the Tamil genocide.

“For wider formal recognition that what happened was a genocide, it needs to be proven in international courts, such as the ICC, which we hope Sri Lanka will be referred to and a determination made,” she added.

When inquired on what measures she would take for Sri Lankan war criminals to be sanctioned in the UK, similar to Canada and the United States, Uma Kumaran stressed that the UK cannot be a haven for war criminals.

“We need an assessment of sanctions against those accused of war crimes. I firmly believe that those responsible should be held to account,” she said.

On Tamil asylum seekers facing deportation from the UK and territories such as Diego Garcia, Uma Kumaran said the story about Tamils being sent to Rwanda was the reality of the dehumanizing policies of the Conservative government.

She assured that a Labour Government would get rid of the inhumane Rwanda scheme straight away.

“I’ll always push to ensure that Tamils in the UK who have a genuine asylum claim are not being sent back to danger – I know Labour MPs have long done this on behalf of their constituents,” she added.

A total of 122 independent groups have placed their cash deposits for the upcoming general elections scheduled for November 14, 2024, the Election Commission stated. The groups made their deposits between September 25 to October 04. Key districts with the highest number of deposits include Batticaloa (15), Jaffna (15), Digamadulla (11), Trincomalee (12) and Colombo (12).

DIG Dhammika Kumara has been appointed as the new Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), following the retirement of Major General Suresh Sallay, Ada Derana reported.

A part of R.A. de Mel Mawatha in the Kollupitiya Police area from St. Michael’s Roundabout to the Rotunda Roundabout along Temple Trees was opened to the public after 19 years, the Ministry of Defence said.

Numerous MPs who were in the currently dissolved Parliament have decided to opt out of politics without contesting the upcoming general election.

There has been an increase in the number of children showing symptoms of influenza and doctors advise vulnerable groups to wear masks, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said. He said symptoms like respiratory problems, cough, cold, fever, runny nose, blocked nose and sometimes vomiting may occur.

The Election Commission has halted the unlawful appointment of a new Managing Director to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) by the new government.

India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, arrived in Sri Lanka this morning for an official visit.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will likely undertake his first official overseas visit to New Delhi for discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he accepts an invitation which will be extended today by visiting Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, the Daily Mirror learns.

The international community should support Sri Lanka in building a peaceful, multi ethnic, green and prosperous Sri Lanka, Norwegian diplomat and former politician Erik Solheim said.

Former Minister of Transport and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardene has decided not to contest at the upcoming General elections.

A spokesman for former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today refuted claims made by Cabinet Spokesman Vijitha Herath, stating that Wickremesinghe never sought Presidential immunity in connection with the controversial bond scam legal proceedings.

A special meeting was held at the Police Headquarters to review the progress of several high-profile investigations concerning crimes, fraud and other controversial cases in Sri Lanka.

The Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow. During this visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, said that the Presidential Commission report, which investigated the allegations made by the UK’s Channel 4 regarding the 2019 Easter Sunday attack, has gone missing.

Former MP and Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) spokesperson, M.A. Sumanthiran, last evening called on the government to immediately disclose the names of former parliamentarians and politicians who were involved in securing and distributing liquor licenses during the previous administration.

The Human Rights Watch stated that the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) should adopt a resolution to enable continued UN monitoring, reporting, and collecting evidence of rights violations for future prosecutions in Sri Lanka.

Former Navy Commander Admiral Sirimevan Sarathchandra Ranasinghe took office today as the new Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. He enlisted in the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet in its 11th Intake on 15 November 1982. Ranasinghe was appointed Commander of the Navy on 26 October 2017 and retired on 1 January 2019.

The Election Commission has announced that it is geared to conduct the much-delayed 2023 Local Government Elections shortly after the upcoming General Elections.

A total of 37 independent groups have placed cash deposits for the upcoming general election scheduled for November 14, 2024, the Election Commission stated.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara confirmed that no injuries or casualties among Sri Lankan nationals were reported following last night’s attack on Israel, allegedly carried out by Iranian forces.