Sri Lankan Diaspora: 18-Year-Old Elected to French City Council 📈

• Overview: Bilaal Lookman, a law student of Sri Lankan origin (Mannar and Jaffna), has been elected as a municipal councillor in Guyancourt, France. At 18 years old, he ranks among the youngest elected officials in the country following the March 2026 elections. • Background & Experience: • Born in France (Nov 2007), Lookman is a first-year student at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University. • Gained early experience via internships with a Member of Parliament, a former Minister of Education, and the Mayor of Guyancourt at ages 15 and 16. • Previously served on the Children’s Municipal Council and worked with local food-aid associations. • Mandate & Focus: • Joined the outgoing Mayor’s team to secure his seat. • Aims to bridge the gap between youth and politics, advocating for civic engagement. • Will balance his local government mandate with his legal studies. • Significance: Highlights the rising influence and civic integration of the Sri Lankan diaspora in global governance and public service sectors.