Among those who had been re-elected in the Canadian general election was Gary Anandasangaree, who made history earlier this year by becoming the first-ever Tamil-Canadian to be appointed as Canada’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, the Tamil Guardian reported. Anandasangaree was appointed to the role on 14 March.

Before his entry into politics, Anandasangaree forged a career as a lawyer and community advocate, working with organisations such as the Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Tamil Congress, and the Canadian Tamil Youth Development Centre, the Tamil Guardian reported. Anandasangaree was also a familiar voice at the United Nations Human Rights Council, where he frequently spoke out on the alleged ongoing persecution of Tamils in Sri Lanka and called for international accountability for war crimes.

As a Member of Parliament, Anandasangaree was instrumental in Canada’s recognition of May 18th as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day—the first country in the world to officially do so. He also championed sanctions against Sri Lankan officials accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. In addition to his work on Tamil issues, Anandasangaree has been a prominent advocate for Indigenous rights within Canada. As Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, he worked to advance reconciliation initiatives, address historical injustices, and promote Indigenous land rights.

Also elected to parliament was another Tamil-Canadian Juanita Nathan for the Liberal Party.

Sri Lanka witnessed a sharp surge in underworld-related violence, with 27 individuals killed in 38 shootings during the first four months of this year, according to the police.

The majority of the incidents have been reported from the Western and Southern Provinces, regions increasingly plagued by organised criminal activity. Law enforcement authorities attribute the violence primarily to escalating conflicts among drug trafficking networks and targeted attacks by rival underworld gangs.

Investigations are ongoing, with police stepping up efforts to dismantle these criminal networks and prevent further bloodshed. Authorities have also called for stronger community cooperation and legislative support to combat the growing threat of organised crime.

by Hemantha Randunu

Colombo High Court judge Manjula Thilakaratne yesterday granted bail to jailer Manoj Udayakantha who brought Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, also known as “Ganemulle Sanjeewa,” to Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s court number 05 on 19 Feb., when he (Sanjeewa) was shot dead by a gunman, disguised as a lawyer.

Manoj Udayakantha was taken into custody on 01 March.

Colombo High Court judge Manjula Thilakaratne ordered the suspect to be granted bail on two sureties of Rs. 2.5 million each and a cash bail of Rs. 75,000.

The jailer has been questioned regarding his failure to take any action against the individual who shot at “Ganemulle Sanjeewa,” as he stood in the dock, and fled. The gunman has been arrested but his female accomplice is still at large.