Uma Kumaran with Prime Minister Andy Burnham(CNS): Uma Kumaran, the first Sri Lankan Tamil to hold a ministerial role in the United Kingdom, has been appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Overseas Territories and Caribbean in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. As Prime Minister Andy Burnham shapes his Cabinet, Kumaran has replaced Stephen Doughty, who is now responsible for the Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan and sanctions. The new junior minister joined parliament as a Labour MP for the constituency of Stratford and Bow in East London in the 2024 election. She is the first person of Eelam Tamil heritage elected to the British parliament. “Particularly meaningful to share this news today as the first ever Minister of British Tamil heritage.