London’s longest serving MEP paid a visit to the Tamil Saturday School in Tolworth on May 23, as politicians around the country gear up for next week’s European Parliament (EP) elections.

The veteran politician, who is standing down this year after being a member of the EP since 1994, spent some time with the children trying his hand at some traditional Tamil instruments before discussing the current situation in Sri Lanka with assembled parents.

Despite the Sri Lankan Government last week claiming victory in the 26-year war, grave concerns remain about the humanitarian Tamil situation survivors of the conflict in the north of the country.

The MEP, who is chairman of the parliament’s south Asia delegation, said: “It’s great to see children learning about their culture, heritage and language. It is as important today as it ever was.

“These children voluntarily give up Saturday mornings to learn to dance or play the musical instruments of a country that, in fact, many of them have never visited.

“It is clear from talking to parents and teachers here that there are many obstacles to overcome for the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, who are dominated by a Sinhalese majority who speak a different language and practise a different religion.

“Unless and until all questions regarding democracy and human rights can be satisfactorily answered, the rest of the world should not be encouraging tourists or cricket teams to visit Sri Lanka.”

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