Conservative London MPs and leading members of the Tamil Community attended an event for the British Tamil Conservatives on Friday 6 June in Paggitts Grove in Enfield, hosted by Mrs Thaksha Ravikulan.
Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, Lee Scott, MP for Ilford North, Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, Jackie Doyle Price, MP for Thurrock, all attended and made speeches pledging continued support of the Tamil cause.
Themes covered by the MPs included the importance of ensuring accountability for war crimes and human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.
The visit by Prime Minister Cameron to the north of Sri Lanka was also highlighted as a ground-breaking event which had drawn worldwide attention to the plight of the Tamils. Jacqui Doyle Price spoke about her work in William Hague’s campaign on ending sexual violence in conflict and its relevance to crimes committed in Sri Lanka.
Speaking after the event, Theresa Villiers said: “It was a great evening. I was delighted that my parliamentary colleagues made the trip to north London to show their support and appreciation for the Tamil community. We all expressed our gratitude for the help and support the Conservatives received from British Tamils in the recent local and European elections.”
“We will continue to support the Tamil cause and efforts to find a negotiated political settlement in Sri Lanka.”