Meeting a torturer - Canadian police chief’s controversial Sri Lankan visit

by Thusiyan
Jan 12, 2024

Duraiappah receives a guard of honour from the Sri Lankan police.

A senior Canadian police chief sparked controversy with a visit to Sri Lanka last month, where he discussed “cooperation” with its notorious police force and visited the office of a senior official who the Supreme Court found had personally participated in torture.

Nishan Duraiappah, the Chief of Peel Regional Police, was given a guard of honour by Sri Lanka’s police force and met with Acting Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon in his Colombo office. His visit comes just weeks after Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court delivered a judgement holding Tennakoon personally responsible for torture and detailed how he had taken part in beating a man in custody.

Yet Duraiappah seemed undeterred by Tennakoon’s record, as he dressed in his full police uniform for his meeting and even held a press conference directly after, telling reporters that “I am very happy to be a Sri Lankan”.

Duraiappah with Sabry in Colombo.

Duraiappah went on to meet other senior government officials, including foreign minister Ali Sabry who recently lashed out at Canada’s Prime Minister and has repeatedly defended Sri Lanka’s tainted human rights record.

“Pleased to meet the Chief of Peel Regional Police of Canada Nishan Duraiappah,” tweeted Sabry, alongside photographs of Duraiappah and Canada’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Eric Walsh. “We also discussed cooperation in the area of community policing,” Sabry added. 

Stripped naked and beaten

Deshabandu Tennakoon

Amidst a host of military and police officials accused of egregious crimes, Tennakoon remains notorious. He stands accused of an array of crimes from issuing death threats to journalists, to covering up abductions and even having extrajudicial executions carried out under his watch.

On December 14, 2023, just days before Duraiappah arrived on the island, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court issued a rare ruling that found Tennakoon had personally tortured a man at the Mirihana Police Station in 2011.

According to the judgement, Tennakoon had personally visited the persons detained in a “torture chamber” for a “brief session of torture”. The court also noted an affidavit from a victim that Tennakoon had “beat the Petitioner with a ‘three-wheel rubber band’ after stripping him naked and ordering him to rub Siddhalepa on his genitalia”.

Read more on Tennakoon’s history of crimes by Ruki Fernando on Groundviews here.

See the full Supreme Court Judgement here.

‘Very happy to be a Sri Lankan’

Duraiappah receives a plaque commemorating his visit from Tennakoon.

“Sri Lanka has achieved a lot of development,” said Duraiappah, at a press conference held right after his meeting with Tennakoon.

Duraiappah was brought to the Police Headquarters in a horse-drawn procession amid police salutes, with a reception held for the police chief at the same venue.

Duraiappah with Alles.

He received a special plaque from Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, a man accused of corruption and named in the Pandora Papers, emblazoned with both the Canadian and Sri Lankan flags.

The building, on York Street in the middle of Colombo’s glitzy business district, sits by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) whose offices on the fourth floor have long become synonymous with torture.

“I was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka,” continued Duraiappah, the nephew of murdered Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) parliamentarian Alfred Duraiappah. “I am very happy to be a Sri Lankan.”

Yet back in Canada, Sri Lanka has become a pariah state. Last year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statement to commemorate Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, marking the anniversary of when Sri Lankan forces massacred tens of thousands of Tamils. The Canadian government has also placed sanctions on Sri Lankan leaders accused of war crimes, with two former presidents barred from entering the country.

Duraiappah was asked by Sri Lankan journalists about the sanctions. According to The Island, he “politely declined to comment”.

No collaboration insists Peel Police

Soldiers in Jaffna this week, as part of an anti-narcotics crackdown launched by Alles last month.

Whilst Sri Lanka’s foreign minister tweeted about “cooperation in the area of community policing”, further details of any collaboration between Canada’s and Sri Lanka’s police forces were not revealed.

According to The Leader, Duraiappah and Alles discussed a "programme aimed at strengthening community Police Units, implemented under advice and guidance of Minister Alles" which "received special appreciation from the Canadian Police Chief".

Last month, Sri Lanka's police announced the arrests of nearly 15,000 people during a week-long military-backed anti-narcotics drive, a crackdown denounced by rights activists. Alles instructed police to use "maximum force" against suspected criminals, stating the police would locate alleged drug dealers and "shoot them".

Nevertheless, "Nishan Duraiappah pledged the full support of the Canadian Police to further enhance the programme," The Leader added.

When questioned by the Tamil Guardian, Peel Regional Police denied that any such support or cooperation would take place.

“There is no ongoing initiative or collaboration between Peel Regional Police and any organization in Sri Lanka,” said the force in response to a request for comment.

Despite being dressed in full uniform, receiving a guard of honour, meeting senior government and police officials, and holding a press conference with journalists, Peel Police went on to claim that Duraiappah had only embarked “on a personal trip with his family”.

“Chief Duraiappah is proud to be born in Sri Lanka and to be the only Police Chief of Sri Lankan descent outside the country,” continued Peel Police. “During his vacation, he welcomed the request from senior police leaders to discuss his experience in advancing Community Policing and the concept of Community Safety and Wellbeing.”

"The Chief is internationally known for his progressive, innovative and inclusive model of policing, and always welcomes the opportunity to connect with international counterparts to share the work that Peel Regional Police is leading in efforts to advance and modernize policing," it added.

Tamil Canadians express their outrage

Duraiappah adresses a Tamil Heritage Month event in Brampton, 2020.

Back in Canada, Duraiappah is frequently seen at local community events, has thanked parliamentarians for the “advocacy of Tamil Heritage Month” and tweeted about how it is “great to see Tamil culture celebrated in this amazing country”.

But local Tamils told us that they are outraged by his visit.

“A Canadian regional police chief meeting with a convicted Sri Lankan deputy police chief and accepting his force's guard of honor is deeply disturbing,” said Thirumugaventhan of the Tamil Thai Mandram (Canadian Mothers Tamil Forum). “It goes against Canadian foreign policy, which firmly stands for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. We urge the Peel Police Board to address this issue urgently. It is concerning, especially as he is in our reputable police force uniform.”

“It is imperative that Tamils work collectively to ensure that those who committed atrocities against us are held to the highest levels of accountability admissible by international law,” added Katpana Nagendra, General Secretary & Spokesperson of the Tamil Rights Group.

“When engaging with the Sri Lankan government or its authorities, it's important to approach interactions thoughtfully to prevent any misinterpretation. We must ensure that these interactions are not misconstrued and used by the Sri Lankan regime as a propaganda tool to undermine our collective efforts for justice and accountability.”

The arrests continue

Sri Lankan police arrest an enforced disappearances activist last week.

Whilst Peel police insists no initiative is planned, any move to bring closer ties between the two, however, would see a reversal of recent international trends. In December 2021, Police Scotland announced it was to end its training work with police in Sri Lanka, after longstanding concerns of human rights abuses on the island. At the time, concerns had been raised about the surveillance and intimidation of human rights activists and the police use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), to arbitrarily arrest Tamils across the North-East.

Little has changed on the island. Several Tamils had been arrested under the PTA in recent months, whilst journalists, human rights activists and families of the disappeared continued to face harassment and intimidation. Just last week, the head of the Vavuniya chapter of the Families of the Disappeared was arrested by Sri Lankan police as she attempted to stage a protest.

In November last year, yet another Tamil youth was killed. 25-year-old Alex Nagarasa from Jaffna was arrested by police and tortured to death. A medical report ruled his death a murder, but like so many other crimes on the island, no one has been held responsible.

A few short weeks later, Duraiappah would arrive for his tour.

 

_____
Correction: Duraiappah's office did respond to requests for comment, as published above.

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Tamil asylum seekers in Australia mark 100 days of continuous protests for permanent visas

Over 200 refugees and supporters marked a significant milestone by marching 10 kilometers from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office to the Immigration Minister’s office this week, commemorating 100 days of continuous protest.

This demonstration, which culminated in a rally and speeches in Punchbowl, highlighted the plight of refugees denied permanent visas for over 12 years. Speakers at the event shed light on the profound impact of the current system, including barriers to higher education, employment, and access to essential services.

The protest has now entered its 100th day, with Tamil asylum seekers and their supporters continuing their relentless demand for permanent protection. For 38 days, they camped outside Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke’s office in Sydney, calling on the government to end the visa limbo that has left many without basic rights and stability. Tamil asylum seekers have been in Australia for over a decade, living on short-term visas that must be renewed regularly. Without permanent residency, they are excluded from Medicare—Australia’s universal health insurance scheme—and are denied the right to work, study, travel, or access essential services. Many are also required to report to visa offices weekly.

The crisis is compounded by the controversial 'Fast Track' system introduced in 2014 by the Abbott government. According to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, this system has resulted in the rejection of around 8,500 asylum seekers' cases. It specifically targets individuals who sought asylum by sea and arrived in Australia between August 13, 2012, and December 31, 2013. Tamil asylum seekers, stuck in visa limbo for years, have launched protests nationwide, with 24-hour encampments in Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane.

Amaran - Problematic propaganda

amaran

The genre of war epic makes its grand re-entry to Tamil cinema with director Rajkumar Periasamy’s sophomore feature film, ‘Amaran.’ As is often the case with this genre, one cannot help but feel the events of the ‘true story’ onscreen have been heavily modified for easy consumption.

 

 

 

The patriotic military films of Tamil cinema had taken a back seat for a while. The subject matter is now seldom a prominent theme of a film, instead lurking in the shadows peeking through such as via the heroes in the works of Nelson Dilipkumar. The genre of war epic makes its grand re-entry to Tamil cinema with director Rajkumar Periasamy’s sophomore feature film, ‘Amaran.’ As is often the case with this genre, one cannot help but feel the events of the ‘true story’ onscreen have been heavily modified for easy consumption.

The film follows the tale of Major Mukund Varadarajan (Sivakarthikeyan) and his partner Indhu Rebecca Varghese (Sai Pallavi), who meet at college and soon become lovers. Indhu grapples with her lover’s life ambition of becoming a soldier for the Indian army, admiring his courage and more than willing to become his doting wife at home. We then watch as Mukund is stationed in Kashmir and follow along with his various missions in the volatile area. The film’s depiction of the Indian army is one solely made up of heroes rescuing civilians and looking out for the public’s interests. It is not necessary to delve too much into why this is an oversimplified and problematic portrayal.

The central performances by Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi carry the almost three hour film adequately. Despite moments where Sivakarthikeyan lacks the intensity to land highly emotional scenes, the pair deftly share the screen between them, with Pallavi picking up any slack. Another notable performance comes from Geetha Kailasam, a character actor who has featured in many films recently in the role of ‘the mother.’ ‘Amaran’ gives her another opportunity to showcase her own humorous brand of motherhood.

Technically, the film runs smoothly. The film is decently shot and edited. Other than a few overly melodramatic moments, the screenplay is solid, albeit a little superficial. GV Prakash Kumar continues his trend of matching the quality of the film with the quality of his music. The track ‘Hey Minnale’ is an earworm, but the rest of the score and soundtrack does not shine through.

Overall, ‘Amaran’ is a straightforward piece of propaganda. A shot in ‘Amaran’ depicts a soldier of the Indian army blocking a closing door with his rifle. On the other side of the door is a Kashmiri child. To appease the child, the soldier sneaks a chocolate bar through the gap in the doorway. The reverse of this tactic is what director Rajkumar Periasamy employs to hook his audience in: the sweetness of the Penelope-Odysseus relationship between Mukund and Indhu hides the intrusion of the weapon of jingoist ideology. 

Krishna's rating: 2.5 stars

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Official trailer for film below.

UN Special Committee finds Israel warfare methods in Gaza consistent with Genocide

un_spcial

A report released by a UN Special Committee, composed of member states Malaysia, Senegal and Sri Lanka has deemed Isarel's warfare in Gaza consistent with genocide, with starvation being used as a weapon of war. 

Covering the period from October 2023 to July 2024, the report examines developments across the occupied Palestinian territory and the occupied Syrian Golan but focuses on the catastrophic impact of the current war in Gaza on the rights of Palestinians.

The Committee called on all Member States to uphold their legal obligations to prevent and stop Israel’s violations of international law and hold it accountable.

“It is the collective responsibility of every State to stop supporting the assault on Gaza and the apartheid system in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” the Committee said.

“Upholding international law and ensuring accountability for violations rests squarely on Member States. A failure to do so weakens the very core of the international legal system and sets a dangerous precedent, allowing atrocities to go unchecked.”

“Through its siege over Gaza, obstruction of humanitarian aid, alongside targeted attacks and killing of civilians and aid workers, despite repeated UN appeals, binding orders from the International Court of Justice and resolutions of the Security Council, Israel is intentionally causing death, starvation and serious injury, using starvation as a method of war and inflicting collective punishment on the Palestinian population,” the Committee said.

The report documents how Israel’s extensive bombing campaign in Gaza has decimated essential services and unleashed an environmental catastrophe that will have lasting health impacts. By early 2024, over 25,000 tons of explosives—equivalent to two nuclear bombs—had been dropped on Gaza, causing massive destruction and the collapse of water and sanitation systems, agricultural devastation, and toxic pollution.

“By destroying vital water, sanitation and food systems, and contaminating the environment, Israel has created a lethal mix of crises that will inflict severe harm on generations to come,” the Committee said.

The report raises serious concerns about Israel’s use of AI-enhanced targeting systems in directing its military operations, and the impact it has had on civilians, particularly evident in the overwhelming number of women and children among the casualties.

Amid the devastation in Gaza, Israel’s escalating media censorship, suppression of dissent, and targeting of journalists are deliberate efforts to block global access to information, the Committee found. It also noted how social media companies disproportionately removed “pro-Palestinian content” in comparison with posts inciting violence against Palestinians.

The Committee condemned the ongoing smear campaign and other attacks against UNRWA and the UN at large.

The Special Committee is composed of three Member States: Malaysia, Senegal and Sri Lanka. This year the Member States are represented by H.E. Mr. Ahmad Faisal Muhamad, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations in New York, H.E. Mr. Cheikh Niang, Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations in New York, and H.E. Mr. Peter Mohan Maithri Pieris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York.. The committee called on member states to urgently act on the following 

(a) Implement their erga omnes obligations, including as they relate to the prevention and prohibition of genocide, torture, racial segregation and apartheid, and refrain from aiding or abetting the commission of all violations of peremptory norms of international law;

(b) Leverage their influence to ensure Israel ceases its policies and practices negatively affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories;  

(c) Halt all offensive arms transfers, including weapons, explosives, guns and/or ammunition, to Israel;

(d) Hold nationals, including those with dual Israeli citizenship, involved in settler violence or violations in Gaza, accountable for violations of international law;  

(e) Review financial transfer policies that allow religious and charitable organizations to fund activities in Israel, which enable the further sustenance of an apartheid system;  

(f) Support UNRWA politically and financially, including by increasing funding through the United Nations regular budget;  

(g) Protect and ensure respect for human rights in economic activities, including by setting out clear expectations for businesses in terms of responsible conduct consistent with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and exercising heightened due diligence when supporting business enterprises;

(h) Hold business entities fully accountable for complicity in violations of international law, whether through their supply of arms, provision of digital products and services and/or engagement in technology transfer and facilitation (including artificial intelligence) or links to value chains (including algorithmic-based decisionmaking systems) that enable Israel’s ongoing onslaught in Gaza and apartheid system of injustice in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem;

(i) Give full effect to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19 July, by adhering to the legal obligations outlined by the Court, and considering specific measures or further measures required to put an end to the illegal presence of Israel in the occupied territories;

(j) Fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court. 

Read more here

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