Several UK politicians, including the Prime Minister's Office, have shared their thanks to the British Tamil community and wished them a happy new year as well as highlighting the dire situation in Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister's Office tweeted:
Happy New Year to those celebrating #Puthandu.
Britain’s Tamil community makes an enormous, positive contribution to our society.
Once again, it remains important to celebrate safely and remember hands, face, space and fresh air. pic.twitter.com/AAe9RNAzm2
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 14, 2021
Shaun Bailey, the candidate for the forthcoming 2021 London mayoral election, tweeted that he wants to be the first Mayor of London to visit Jaffna if he is elected and that he would continue to push for justice at the UN. He further extended his appreciation to the Tamil community for its contribution to society, particularly to the NHS.
Watch more of his statements here and here.
Wishing Tamils in London and around the world a very Happy New Year as you celebrate Puthandu.
May this new year bring good health, prosperity and happiness to you all.
இனிய புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்
Puthandu Vazthukkal #Puthandu
— Shaun Bailey (@ShaunBaileyUK) April 14, 2021
Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, spoke on the need for Tamils to have autonomy and justice:
MP for Harrow East, Bob Blackman tweeted:
Happy #Puthandu to #Tamils everywhere celebrating the coming of Spring & the New Year. #Puthāaṇduvāazhthugal!
The festival is different this year due to #COVID19 restrictions but I trust that families can reunite virtually. Please do come forward tor receive your vaccination. pic.twitter.com/d5a1aGgERw— Bob Blackman (@BobBlackman) April 14, 2021
Chair of the APPG for Tamils and MP for Carshalton and Wallington, Elliot Colburn celebrated the New Year and thanked the Tamil community for its contribution to fighting the pandemic.
As Chair of the APPG for Tamils, to all Tamils celebrating their New Year today, #PuthanduVazhthukal - I hope next year we can once again come together to celebrate as we used to. pic.twitter.com/4bvkwETvIO
— Elliot Colburn MP (@ElliotColburn) April 14, 2021
Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet also celebrated the Tamil New Years stating:
Paul Scully, MP for Sutton and Cheam, similarly celebrated the Tamil New Year stating:
To all Tamils celebrating their New Year today, #PuthanduVazhthukal We're all ready for the fresh start that New Year gives us and I hope that you will have time to pause and celebrate with family and friends even if virtually at this time. pic.twitter.com/dGQAwzSTRy
— Paul Scully MP (@scullyp) April 14, 2021
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