The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking a 15-year prison sentence for a Canadian who pleaded guilty to terrorism conspiracy for his role in a plot to supply separatist rebels in Sri Lanka.

In a sentencing report filed in a Brooklyn, N.Y. court, U.S. attorney Loretta Lynch said Ramanan Mylvaganam had committed “a gravely serious offence” by attempting to procure equipment for the Tamil rebels.

“Any sentence other than a substantial sentence of incarceration risks undermining respect for the law by suggesting that a defendant can evade serious punishment for providing material support to a terrorist organization,” she wrote.

But the defence has asked the judge to sentence Mylvaganam to time served and release him, arguing the Sri Lankan civil war at the heart of the case was over and the Canadian was not a political zealot.

“This case represents the one, isolated transgression on his part,” his lawyer Jerry Fong wrote. “His failing in this case is one of judgment. However, Mr. Mylvaganam certainly has learned his lesson and is truly remorseful.”

His sentencing was scheduled for Friday.
Mylvaganam, 35, is accused of trying to buy night vision goggles for the Tigers and assisting Suresh Sriskandarajah, who had allegedly been asked by a senior rebel procurement agent to buy computer equipment, electronic components and communications equipment. (National Post)