Sri Lankan Tamil-origin politician Uma Kumaran has been appointed as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The Stratford and Bow MP is reportedly the first person of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage to hold a ministerial position in the history of the British Parliament.
Kumaran said she was honoured to serve the UK and represent its international leadership and foreign policy during a challenging and uncertain period around the world.
Born in East London, Kumaran is the daughter of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who fled the country’s civil war and later settled in Britain.
She studied Politics at Queen Mary University of London and holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy.
Her appointment marks a significant milestone for the British Sri Lankan Tamil community and highlights the growing representation of people with Sri Lankan heritage in UK public life.
