By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala service

Conservative party is ahead of other parties but no party would be able to get a clear majority, according to opinion polls

Immigration and economic policies of the major political parties are the key areas when deciding their vote at the elections, claimed students and young Sri Lankans living in UK.

For some, though, the TV debates that resulted with the Liberal Democrats taking the lead in opinion polls seems to have energised the younger generation.

Sri Lankan students, though not permanent residents, are temporarily allowed to vote in UK as citizens of the Commonwealth.

Although the Labour government is seen as supportive of immigrants, for students in particular, all might not be that rosy for the immigrants if the Conservative party comes to power, according to Sri Lankan student Akila Nadeera Perera.

Mohamed Rilvan Mohamed Nisar, another student at a London higher education college, agrees.

Immigration policy

"As a result of the recession, it is already very difficult to find a part time job to cover my expenses. But I think under a Conservative government things would be worse," he told BBC Sandeshaya.

Majority of the students and other young people Sandeshaya spoke to were of a similar opinion.

I think Gordon Brown is very serious when he talks about policies than David Cameron   Dhanushka Perera, a recent graduate

But Lakshman Wanigasuriya, the president of the Conservative branch in Totteridge in High Wycombe constituency, disagrees.

"Under the Labour government, the immigration policy has constantly been changing," he said.

"Students who come to UK for one category, for example, are later confused as to which category they belong after sudden changes," Mr. Wanigasuriya said adding that under a Conservative government there would be a consistent policy.

"Every tax paying legal immigrant is of the opinion that this immigration policy needs to be changed."

For Dhanushka Perera, a recent graduate currently working in the IT industry, it is the overall performance of the government, not only immigration that matters.

"I think Gordon Brown is very serious when he talks about policies than David Cameron," he said.

Shiyamala Selvaratnam, a young web designer grown up in London, regards herself as a Londoner as well as an immigrant.

TV debate

She said herself, as well as many among the younger generation, were influenced by the confident performance at the TV debates by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.

	The TV debate was the first of its kind in UK

"I think immigration issue is important but at the same time it is important to empower the younger generation," she told BBCSinhala.com.

Riza Jazeel, Chairman of SL2G, a group of first and second generation Sri Lankan young people, is of the opinion that the main reason for Mr. Cleggs sudden popularity is the public's dissatisfaction with the policies and manifestos of Labour and the Conservatives.

"Sadly it's more of a negative criticism of the other two parties than a positive statement about the Liberal Democrats. It's an interesting phenomenon to see that the TV debates have had a massive effect on general opinion and decision making. Whether that's a good or a bad thing remains to be seen," he said.

I think Conservative party is the single party that has proposed policies to improve the economy as well as other social factors in UK   Lakshman Wanigasuriya, a party official

But for some recently arrived students, survival under a recession is the main issue.

Chanuka Dilshan Perera, a student who has been in UK for more than two years is of the opinion that it is also important to focus on economic policies.

"Many students cannot survive with what they get from Sri Lanka so they must have a part time job. It is already difficult but if the government changes things would be more difficult."

Agreeing, Lakshman Wanigasuriya says it is only Conservatives who could take the UK out of the recession.

War crimes

"I think Conservative party is the single party that has proposed policies to improve the economy as well as other social factors in UK," he said.

	Thousands of Sri Lankan Tamils have been protesting in london during the war

Dharanga Rathnayake, an IT student in UK, is of the opinion that economic policies proposed by the Conservative party might result with further job cuts.

"That will badly affect us when we join the job market after completing the course," he said.

Meanwhile, Riza Jazeel, who regards himself as British and Sri Lankan, says the main issues in deciding his vote are the economy and the impact on his business.

"I'm considering the way in which I think the UK will behave as an international citizen, but in terms of Sri Lanka, there's a growing unhappiness with the behaviour of the west, or any country really, when it criticises or disagrees with Sri Lanka," he told BBC Sinhala service.

But that is exactly what Sivendran Nadarajah, a young Tamil student in London expects from the next government in UK.

"I think the British government that sold weapons to Sri Lankan government in the height of the war, has got the responsibility taking up the war crimes issue forward," he said.

The British government should also take the historical responsibility of "creating a mess" in colonial times and putting the country back to normalcy, he says.

"We would like the British government, whatever party it is, to put the pressure on the UN and also the Commonwealth to do something about the plight of the Tamils in Sri Lanka," he added.

A selection of your comments:

I would go with Mr.Brown. He got plenty of Experience and as far as i knw he is handling this crises well and seems next year it will recover!so if the government gonna change now,there might some years suffer from the criss. I like the Lobular policies only! not that Mr.Miliband.
Dan Perera, Luzern, Switzerland

It is very difficult for me to believe that the votes of the Sri Lankan immigrants would have a major impact on the UK lections. Most of these views are pushed farward by the LTTE sympathisers to mislead the polititians to get their backing for the separatist movement of LTTE.This is not going to be successful this time. A well known LTTE sympathiser who contested for the London municipality lost in spite of the backing of the LTTE goons.
Dr. Haritha Samaranayake, Kuopio, Finland

its good to see all Sri Lankans (not sinhalese nor tamils) working together. that's what we expect from all young sri lankans.
Dilinika Krishnan, Bambalapitiya, Sri Lanka

An interesting article. I firmly believe in peaceful united Sri-Lanka that brings together its diverse communities in a positive and constructive way. This is now the time for us to show certain MPs that have unfairly criticised Sri-Lanka and given a bias viewpoint based on only speaking to LTTE/Tamil Seperatists constituents, that we will NOT vote for them. We have not been listened to or consulted. These MPs have just blindly listened to Tamil seperatist supporters and repeated their propaganda.
Asi Panditharatna, London, UK

It is absurd to think that Students from Sri Lanka can affect the election as palitha thinks. University students are either in university towns where they support the Lib dems or they are such a small portion of such a large constituency that the power of individuals is low making Sri Lankan student vote insignificant.
Pratheepan, London, UK

As a Tamil Refugee of the 80's era, I consider myself as British of SL origin. I was impressed in the manner the British politicians and the EU, condemned both the terrorists and the Govt. of SL on the plight of the civilians caught in between. In the 80's, the SL Govt. did not bomb the civilian areas knowing well the JVPers was amongst the civilians. Hence its NOT normal for the Govt. to bomb civilian areas in a war situation. Further, the British are totally responsible for creating a unitary state on the island of nations and separate kingdoms.
Rayman David

SPIN DOCTORING AT WORST. Just reading the few comments shows that how "dis-united" the Tamils and Sinhalese are. This article is just spin doctoring at worst.
Maniparathy, Wellington, New Zealand

I was in Sri Lanka during the paliament and presidentail elections, These two elections were not free and fair, therefore no Sri Lanken caanot say Brithes or Tamils or Milliband is wrong if you walk in the streets in colombo so much fear prevails any person comment Rajapakse regime will be sent to Jail which is not visible in democratic socities such as UK.
Ruwan, Melbourne, Australia

The comments posted by the editor are unrepresentative as Sinhalese outnumber Tamil comments by a ratio of 5:1. Yet the 500,000 British Tamils outnumber Sinhalese by a similar ratio. The key issues which unite all Tamils behind a candidate is their stance on the suspension of the GSP+ trade concession, and, the prosecution of war crimes against elements in the Sri Lankan military establishment. Candidates who support both will get the Tamil vote in their seat en-masse.
Arjuna Sivananthan, London, UK

Milliband wanted to teach us how to run SL, so let Sri Lankan also teach him a lesson.
Palitha Randeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka

I vey much like Mr Brown's recovery plan from recession but Millabank and Vass openly supported LTTE terroists and still accusing Sri Lanka for humanrights violatons during the war. It is normal that several innocent people get killed in any war. Howmany thousands got killed in Vietnam due to American bombing and today daily hundreds get killed in Afghanistan and Pakistan due to army bombing. There is not a hum about those violatons of humanrights. Why always Sri Lanka.
B Ranasinghe, Croydon, Surrey

06/05 is D Day for patriotic Sri Lankans to send a message to ALL Ethno-Politicians who supported the enemies of their motherland - Do not interfere in the internal matters of Sri Lanka. You have plenty to worry about including dishonest Politicos.
Lawry Perera, Melbourne, Australia

It is wrong to say Srilankan diaspora. We Tamils call ourself as Diaspora Tamils. We also support all three parties rather supporting one party. We have decided to support indivual candidate who can support our cause.
Anton Fernando, Harrow, UK

All the politicians - regardless of their party affiliations - have lost respect of the many voters, particularly voters of the Sri Lankan origin. All three parties shamelessly exploiting the ethnic votes, even going to the extent of supporting terrorism in Sri Lanka by alleging their loyalty to LTTE supporters in UK. We have no respect for British politicians anymore. They have become selfish, power hungry, corruted politicians with no moral standards.
Nihal Perera

The Thamizh people of Sri Lankan origin in Britain should vote for candidtaes who will support the cause of slef determination of Thamizh poeple in Sri Lanka who are the desendants of King Ravana and preceede the Sinhalese.
Annonymous