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British Conservative MPs extend Pongal wishes to Tamils

15 January 2024

British Conservative MPs joined the UK Prime Minister in sending their Thai Pongal wishes to the Tamil community in the UK. 

In his Thai Pongal message, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sent a "huge thank you" and stated that the community has made an "amazing contribution" to the country.

Elliot Colburn, MP for Carshalton and Wallington and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT) acknowledged that Thai Pongal is a time to give thanks for the "bountiful harvest" but also that it is "very important for us to remember that to this day, Tamils are still fighting for peace, justice and accountability, for the atrocities that were committed in Sri Lanka during the end of the conflict, particularly those massacres at Mullivaikkal."

"We will continue standing up for the rights of Tamil people and continue to press the UK government to join international partners to push for that justice and peace that is so desperately needed," he added. 

Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe and Minister of State for Northern Ireland, said he is "proud that Wycombe has a vibrant Tamil community." 

Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, said:

"It's a festival dating back many centuries, celebrating the bringing in of the harvest and of course in our modern era, it's also a great opportunity to celebrate the fantastic contibution made by the Tamil community in the United Kingdom."

Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow and Minister for Skills, Further & Higher Education, thanked the Tamil community "for the incredible contribution Tamils make, whether it's in NHS, whether it's in business, whether it's in charity, whether it's in education."

"We are very lucky that the Tamil community is so strong in Britain," he added. 

Paul Scully, MP for Sutton and Cheam,  was at the Ealing Amman temple in London this morning as the temple prepared pongal to mark the festival. 

Steve Tuckwell, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, sent his "warm wishes with prosperity and happiness."

Robert Buckland, MP for South Swindon said "I know a lot of Tamil friends, communities will be celebrating both in India, Sri Lanka and across the world and it's my pleasure to join in that goodwill and sense of celebration as the four day festival begins." 

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