Canadian politicians have condemned the arrest of the Mayor of Jaffna V. Manivannan by Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) and demanded his immediate release.
V. Manivannan was arrested by Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) at around 2 am on Friday, on charges of attempting to reconstruct and support the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).The arrest followed an investigation into the uniforms of a Jaffna Municipal Council task force which was launched this week to enforce penalties against environmental infractions such as littering and spitting. Sri Lankan police alleged that the uniforms worn by the task force were similar to those formerly worn by the LTTE's police force.
Canadian parliamentarians and officials alike called for the release of Manivannan, calling it a “threat to democracy” and a continuation of the Sri Lankan government’s “harassment [and] arbitrary arrest of members of the Tamil Community."
Gary Anandasangaree, MP for Scarborough-Rouge Park, quoting Tamil Guardian’s article tweeted that the “continued harassment [and] arbitrary arrests of members of the Tamil community including elected officials, journalists & human rights defenders must end.”
I strongly condemn the arrest of #Mayor of Jaffna V Manivannan by the Sri Lankan govt, and call for his immediate release.
The continued harassment & arbitrary arrests of members of the Tamil community including elected officials, journalists & human rights defenders must end. https://t.co/jDpguZ7Uxf
— Gary Anandasangaree (@gary_srp) April 8, 2021
Mayor of Toronto John Tory, echoed Anandasangaree's condemnation and stated that "this continuing unjust treatment of Tamils is unacceptable."
I join Gary in condemning the arrest of the Mayor of Jaffna by the Sri Lankan government. I echo the call for his immediate release. This continuing unjust treatment of Tamils is unacceptable. I urge others to join in this call and to stand in solidarity with our Tamil community. https://t.co/MO32eoPFkd
— John Tory (@JohnTory) April 9, 2021
Salma Zahid, MP for Scarborough Centre, noted the “innocent must be released” and stated her solidarity with “our Tamil neighbours and friends."
I stand with my colleague @gary_srp and the Tamil community against this continued campaign of harassment. The innocent must be released and this treatment must end. We are in solidarity with our Tamil neighbours and friends. https://t.co/KmzkWg8Fzc
— Salma Zahid (@SalmaZahid15) April 9, 2021
Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, quoting Tamil Guardian’s article called the arrest of the Jaffna Mayor a “revenge tactic” against the UNHRC and urged the release of all political prisoners and for Sri Lanka to “cooperate with the UN to ensure justice for the Tamil Genocide."
The arrest of #JaffnaMayor by the Sri Lankan gov seems to be a revenge tactic against the UNHRC for setting up an investigation against them.
This is wrong, wrong, wrong. They should release all political prisoners & cooperate with the UN to ensure justice for the #TamilGenocide https://t.co/NxW32m7qzL
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) April 9, 2021
Vijay Thanigasalam, MPP for Scarborough-Rouge Park noted that “there’s no safety for elected Tamil representatives in Sri Lanka."
I am shocked to hear the democratically elected Mayor of Jaffna being arrested by the Sri Lankan government. There’s no safety for elected Tamil representatives in SriLanka. This is a threat to democracy. I strongly condemn this action & demand the immediate release of the Mayor.
— Vijay Thanigasalam (@VijayThaniMPP) April 9, 2021
Logan Kanapathi, MPP for Markham-Thornhill quoting Tamil Guardian’s article tweeted against Sri Lanka’s “inhuman treatments towards the Tamils."
I strongly condemn the arrest of #Mayor of #Jaffna V Manivannan by the Sri Lankan government.
During this #pandemic, the Sri Lankan government has not stop their inhuman treatments towards the Tamils. We must call for his immediate release. https://t.co/ck28FWtrgJ
— Logan Kanapathi (@LoganKanapathi) April 9, 2021
Following the condemnation, Mannivannan has subsequently been released on bail following a Rs. 2 Lakh payment. He had been charged under the Penal code with the case being adjourned until 26th June 2021, though the validity of the reasoning used to carry out Manivannan’s arrest has been brought into question.
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