[Post 974] Sri Lankan Tamils In Paris: Little Jaffna In The Heart Of France | The New Locals - Part 2/8

Summary

Sri Lankans Tamils began to arrive in France in the 1980s when the civil war took more casualties. Asylum-seekers found refuge in France which had friendly immigration policies. Today, France is home to 100,000 Sri Lankan Tamils with half of them based in Paris. Initially dispersed throughout the city, they begin to form networks centred in La Chappelle and within a decade the area became known as Little Jaffna, a vibrant, flourishing Parisian quarter that is now undeniably Tamil. 

Now, the second generation of Sri Lankan Tamils are finding a firmer footing in their adopted country. Speaking fluent French and growing up in Paris, couples like Islaine and Ragis specialise in distinctive Tamil folk dance and more recent immigrants like Sugeetharan could be mistaken for French when he is winning national competitions in traditional baking.