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Canada’s Public Safety Minister under scrutiny over support for man linked to LTTE
Colombo, July 17 (Daily Mirror) - Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is facing mounting scrutiny after Global News revealed he had written letters supporting the immigration application of a man deemed by federal officials to be a former member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a group listed as a terrorist organization in Canada.
The letters, dated 2016 and 2023—before Anandasangaree joined the federal cabinet—urged the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to reconsider its longstanding rejection of Sri Lankan national Senthuran Selvakumaran’s bid for permanent residency. The CBSA has denied Selvakumaran’s application since 2005, citing his “protracted involvement” with the LTTE.
In the 2023 letter, Anandasangaree described the agency’s decision to prevent Selvakumaran from reuniting with his Canadian wife and daughter as “cruel and inhumane.” The letter was sent just days before his appointment as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations. He was later named Public Safety Minister in May 2025.
Although Anandasangaree has recused himself from files involving the LTTE or its alleged Canadian affiliate, the World Tamil Movement, critics argue that his previous advocacy raises serious concerns. Former CSIS analyst Phil Gurski called the intervention “an egregious error” and called for the minister’s resignation. Advocacy group Secure Canada added that Members of Parliament should not involve themselves in cases linked to national security or terrorism allegations.
Despite the controversy, Prime Minister Mark Carney defended Anandasangaree, stating the minister “has been transparent” and continues to have his full confidence.
Last week, the Federal Court upheld the CBSA’s decision to deny ministerial relief to Selvakumaran, citing overriding concerns related to national security and public safety.
Selvakumaran, who admitted to distributing LTTE propaganda in the 1990s during his initial asylum claim in the U.K., has since recanted that account, attributing the statements to poor legal advice. However, multiple appeals over the years have been dismissed.
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