While the United Kingdom’s general election is creating headlines around the world, six Sri Lankan-origin individuals contested the election, capturing the attention of the Sri Lankan diaspora in the UK and Sri Lankans around the world. Following the Labour Party’s win, two of these candidates are leading the contest. According to UK media reports, these two candidates are female. All six candidates are from the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora.
Both of these female candidates were born in Jaffna, in the northern part of Sri Lanka, and later migrated to Britain for various reasons, completing their studies in the UK. According to UK reports, both female contestants are barristers and well-known social workers.
Krishna Rishikaran, who is contesting representing the Labour Party, was born in Sri Lanka. Following the demise of her parents, she migrated to the UK with one of her relatives. Upon arriving, she lived in an orphanage and completed her studies. The other female candidate, Uma Kumaran, is also contesting the British general election from another political party. The remaining four candidates of Sri Lankan origin are male.
As per the reports, the Labour Party is leading the poll, and Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party, Rishi Sunak, has already congratulated the Labour Party leader, Keir Starmer, on his win. The UK media reported that Keir Starmer will be the UK’s next Prime Minister, ending the 14-year rule of the Conservative Party.
Following the landslide victory, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer vowed to bring change to Britain as its next Prime Minister. Speaking after the landslide victory, Starmer said, “We did it,” in his victory speech. He stated that change will begin now and promised to end the chaos and turn the page. Meanwhile, stock and government bond prices in Britain rose on Friday following the Labour Party’s comprehensive win.
