A Sri Lankan asylum seeker who claims he once built warships for the Tamil Tigers and who maintained to the Australian authorities that he would be tortured and possibly killed in his home country if he was deported,arrived in Sri Lanka, was questioned by the authorities here and then released.
The treatment extended to Santharupan Thanagalingamby Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department, was completely at odds with what he claimed – and his friends also claimed when giving evidence – he would expect from the Sri Lankan authorities.
His release dispelled fears expressed by several of those who supported Thanagalingam’s attempt to remain in Australia based on the fears he had of torture if he was deported to Sri Lanka.
Santharupan Thangalingam, 46, said he was a senior leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a militant terrorist organisation, which waged a bloody insurgency against the Sri Lankan Government for more than a quarter of a century.
His claims had been backed by two former fighters who fought alongside him. Both have been granted asylum in Australia because of their association with the Tamil Tigers.
The Australian Government was sceptical of Mr Thangalingam’s background and argued there is no evidence he was trained by the Tamil Tigers or that he was in charge of the group’s shipyards. They stood their ground and deported Thangalingam on Thursday last.
Joining in the fear was the Tamil Refugee Council (TRC) who said there was no question Mr Thangalingam’s life is in danger.
“If Santharupan is deported, we fear he will face torture or forced disappearance at the hands of Sri Lanka’s security forces,” TRC president Aran Mylvaganam said.
The Sri Lankan Government has consistently denied that there is a culture of torture or reprisals against suspected former rebels. It appears that their fears have amounted to nought with the release of Thangalingam after questioning.
UN unable to substantiate claim
Following the end of the war, Mr Thangalingam fled Sri Lanka by boat and arrived in Australia in 2012 – 3 years after the war ended.
He applied for asylum but was rejected and failed to appeal the decision in time.
He was then arrested and taken to immigration detention.
After two years in custody, the Australian Border Force (ABF) announced earlier this week that he would be deported on Thursday.
In his deportation notice, ABF officers said his personal information may be disclosed to foreign governments or agencies as part of his removal.
From detention, he challenged the deportation with the United Nations Committee Against Torture and was granted a temporary stay, but on Monday that was lifted.
“They have simply said they haven’t been able to substantiate his claims,” Mr Mylvaganamsaid.He is calling on the Australian Government to meet its human rights obligations.
“There are international laws that protect people who had involvement with the Tamil Tigers and all we’re asking the Australian Government to do is to follow the international laws and give protection to this man,” he said.
Sri Lanka ‘still a danger’ for Tamil Tigers
In its correspondence to the United Nations, the Attorney-General’s department has maintained its opposition to Mr Thangalingam staying in Australia.
“There are not substantial grounds for believing [Mr Thangalingam] faces a real risk of irreparable damage if returned to Sri Lanka,” it said.
But Dr Ian Cook, who is a global politics expert from Murdoch University, said there was still a culture of “score settling” within elements of Sri Lanka’s Government.
“The idea that it’s all well and good and everything’s settled down in Sri Lanka I think is a sort of naive perspective,” he said.”There are still people in the government who have agendas, who are concerned about the oppositional movements. There is still a danger for people being returned to Sri Lanka.
A letter from a Sri Lankan Tamil to the Tamil Diaspora. Very Patriotic. Very touching and very true. A letter every Sri Lankan should read and share:
To all so called Tamil Ealam supporters in abroad..
Why all these dramas?? Suddenly you all woke up from sleep after 9 years or what??
Listen…
What ever said and done in the past, as Tamils we are living a peaceful life now here in Sri Lanka compared to those days.
You all left for so many reasons and lived a peaceful life when we were suffering here in Sri Lanka. And suddenly you all became brave and pointlessly protesting against a military officer who was on his official duty..
I am not telling that what that Army Officer done is correct but even I WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAMETHING IF YOU PUT MY COUNYRY’S FLAG UNDER YOUR FEET INFRONT OF ME…
I know that you all are doing this to confirm your citizenships and to win your asylum cases. (I know that you need a photo with LTTE flag in your arms and SL flag on your feet to confirm that you can’t go back to Sri Lanka). But please remember that we, as Srilankan Tamils have to answer here for everything you do there living comfortably.
So mind your own businesses and help us to live a peaceful life in Sri Lanka.
Unlike old days we do not have a genuine or dependable Tamil politician or a Political party to defend us here in Sri Lanka.
So if you all still want to show your love on Sri Lankan Tamils and Tamil, please earn some money instead of protesting and send it to the Tamil people who are in need in Sri Lanka or teach Tamil to your next generation where ever you are.
