>The town's new mayor is a refugee from Sri Lanka who will be the first Hindu to hold the position.
>LABOUR COUNCILLOR ELANGO ELAVALAKAN has taken over the ceremonial role after a unanimous vote at Ipswich Borough Council's annual meeting.
>"I'm so happy today, and very proud to be mayor of this great town," said Mr Elavalakan.
>Council leader Neil MacDonald, who proposed the nomination, said Mr Elavalakan would get to read out a general election result during his year in office.
>Members of Ipswich's Hindu community attended Wednesday evening's ceremony, with celebrations at the nearby temple planned for later in the week.
>Dr Sachin Karale, chair of Ipswich Hindu Samaj, said: "It shows the great diversity and multiculturalism of Ipswich town that a Hindu man is becoming mayor. I'm really proud."
>Mr Elavalakan's wife, Manchula Elavalakan, will be his consort.
>The mayor's theme for the year will be "support and wellbeing" with his two chosen charities Genesis Orwell Mencap and Cancer Support Suffolk.
>'Ipswich is my home town'
>Having left Sri Lanka, Mr Elavalakan lived and worked in India, Uganda and Rwanda before moving to the UK.
>He initially moved to Ilford in east London, before moving to Ipswich in 2006.
>"When I came for one project here, in Ipswich, I felt the people were very friendly," he said.
>"So I decided, Ipswich is my home town."
>He became a Labour councillor for St John's ward in 2014.
>"Having lived in many different countries and experienced many different lifestyles, I have always been interested in helping those that need it," he said.
>"I am passionate about empowering communities and representing those in need."
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>How I went from country to country and from town to town until I could grift my way into politics
He’ll be going back to Sri Lanka leaving the gold