Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ A French student of Sri Lankan origin has taken an unusual step into public life at a remarkably young age. Accordingly, at just 18, Bilaal Lookman has been elected to the city council of Guyancourt, becoming one of the youngest municipal councillors in France. His election is notable not only because of his age, but also because he was both a first-time voter and a candidate in the same election. When France held its municipal polls in March, Lookman cast his vote for the first time, while also appearing on the ballot as part of a candidate list backed by the outgoing mayor’s team.
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Currently a first-year law student at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University, Lookman was born in November 2007 in France in a family with roots in Sri Lanka’s northern regions of Mannar and Jaffna. His journey into politics, however, did not begin overnight. He was very interested in public affairs from a young age. As a teenager, he got to know how government works by working as an intern in the offices of a Member of Parliament, a former Minister of Education, and the mayor of his hometown. These experiences helped him understand how institutions work and let him meet important political figures, such as parliamentary leaders, former ministers, and diplomats.
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Lookman’s involvement in community service also began early. As a child, he participated in his town’s Children’s Municipal Council, later continuing his engagement through school activities and volunteer work with a local food aid organization. Speaking about his journey, Lookman emphasised the importance of determination and collective effort. He said that background or origin should not define a person’s future, adding that progress depends on the choices people make and the effort they are willing to put in.
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Now serving on the city council, he says he is motivated by a strong sense of public service. He hopes to encourage more young people to get active in politics and civic life, dispelling the misconception that political participation is pointless. Balancing his academic courses with his new commitments will be a difficult task. However, Lookman is determined to use this opportunity to represent young voices and strengthen relationships between residents and local authorities.
