Urgent Update: Anandasangaree’s Office Investigates Tamil Tigers Case

UPDATE: New reports confirm that Gary Anandasangaree’s office actively inquired about the immigration case of Rajini Rajmanoharan, a deported member of the Tamil Tigers, between 2019 and 2020. This alarming revelation comes as authorities uphold the decision to deny her immigration application due to her alleged ties to the notorious group, also known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Court records indicate that Anandasangaree’s office made three separate inquiries to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding Rajmanoharan’s status. The inquiries were made during a time when she was attempting to return to Canada after being deported in 2014. Border security officials claimed she was ineligible due to her association with the LTTE, a group designated as a terrorist organization by Canada since 2006.

The case has gained increasing attention since the Federal Court’s ruling on October 15, 2023, which confirmed the government’s stance against Rajmanoharan’s immigration bid. This is the second case linked to Anandasangaree since he became Canada’s public safety minister in May 2023. In July, it was reported that he had written letters to immigration officials advocating for another Tamil Tigers member.

Anandasangaree’s spokesperson clarified that the inquiries about Rajmanoharan were “general in nature” and “routine” for any MP’s office, emphasizing that she was not a constituent. However, questions loom over the implications of these inquiries, especially considering the ongoing scrutiny of immigration policies regarding individuals with alleged ties to terrorist organizations.

The Tamil Tigers have a controversial history, engaging in fundraising activities in Canada, sometimes involving intimidation and extortion, as they pursued a failed civil war in Sri Lanka. Although the conflict ended in 2009, the group remains on Canada’s terrorism list due to its violent past, which includes numerous political assassinations and bombings.

In a move to reinforce national security, Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Anandasangaree to oversee federal agencies responsible for preventing individuals with links to terror groups from entering Canada. Following his appointment, Anandasangaree announced he would recuse himself from decisions related to the Tamil Tigers and its affiliates, directing such matters to his deputy and chief of staff.

Rajmanoharan’s immigration case paints a troubling picture. According to her file, she claims to have been forced to work for the LTTE in the 1990s, primarily serving as a cook and caretaker for injured fighters. Despite her assertions of coercion, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) maintained that her involvement enhanced the organization’s operational capabilities.

After arriving in Canada in 2008 and facing a rejected refugee claim, Rajmanoharan was deported in 2014. She has since attempted to return, only to be met with further allegations of being an LTTE member. The CBSA highlighted that even her role as a cook contributed to the group’s effectiveness.

A letter from the Canadian High Commission in Colombo dated March 25, 2024, explicitly barred her from re-entering Canada, citing her membership in the LTTE. The letter also stated that her Canadian husband was ineligible to sponsor her due to previous sponsorship issues. Rajmanoharan has appealed the decision, but the recent Federal Court ruling poses significant challenges.

As the situation develops, the implications for Anandasangaree and his office are significant, with potential political repercussions. The minister’s spokesperson reiterated that he has not provided support for any individual deemed inadmissible for immigration due to terrorism affiliations, stressing his condemnation of terrorism in all forms.

This evolving story raises critical questions about immigration policies and the responsibilities of elected officials in handling cases linked to terrorism. As public scrutiny intensifies, all eyes are on the Canadian government’s approach to balancing national security with humanitarian considerations.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation.