Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah met with senior Sri Lankan police officials in Colombo, including Inspector-General Deshabandu Tennakoon, who had been found guilty by the Supreme Court of participating in the torture of a man. The photos of the meeting, taken on December 29, 2023, show Duraiappah in uniform, raising concerns about his association with an officer involved in human rights abuses. Dr. Thusiyan Nandakumar criticized the visit as a stain on Canada’s reputation, and former MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan expressed disappointment in Duraiappah’s representation of the Peel police force.
Duraiappah’s visit to Sri Lanka was described as personal by a Peel police spokesperson, who stated there was no ongoing collaboration between Peel police and Sri Lanka. However, wearing his uniform during the visit raised questions about his representation of the organization. It was noted that Duraiappah is the only police chief of Sri Lankan descent outside of the country, adding a personal dimension to the controversy. Sitsabaiesan highlighted the harm caused to Canadians, especially the Tamil community in Peel, by Duraiappah’s actions.
The details of Duraiappah’s meeting with Tennakoon were not confirmed by the Peel spokesperson, who mentioned discussions with Global Affairs Canada and the RCMP regarding the visit. Both organizations were aware of the trip and provided information about Tennakoon’s involvement in human rights abuses. The RCMP facilitated arrangements for Duraiappah’s visit but clarified that it was not an official government visit. Global Affairs Canada also emphasized that the visit was personal and did not involve any official government organization.
The concerns around Duraiappah’s visit to Sri Lanka stem from the country’s history of human rights violations and ongoing issues with police brutality. The United Nations has criticized Sri Lanka for its anti-drug crackdown and reported cases of torture and arbitrary arrests by the police. The appointment of Tennakoon as police chief despite his involvement in torture highlights the impunity with which law enforcement operates in Sri Lanka. Some countries, such as Scotland, have canceled training programs for Sri Lankan officers due to human rights concerns.
Critics, including Nandakumar, believe that Duraiappah’s decision to meet with Sri Lankan police officials accused of human rights abuses raises questions about his judgment. Given Canada’s stance on human rights violations in Sri Lanka, the visit was seen as inappropriate and damaging to Canada’s reputation. Sitsabaiesan called for an apology from Duraiappah, highlighting the need for accountability and a better understanding of the implications of such interactions. The controversy surrounding Duraiappah’s visit underscores the complexities of engaging with law enforcement agencies in countries with questionable human rights records.
