Arrest of Tamil musician in Sri Lanka sparks condemnation from Brampton mayor

The arrest of a young Tamil hip-hop artist in Sri Lanka has drawn condemnation from Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, highlighting how issues thousands of kilometres away continue to resonate in one of Canada’s most diverse cities.

Brown issued a statement this week calling for the release of 24-year-old Tamil musician Sangeethsan Ganeskumar, known professionally as Hiphop Sangee, who was arrested under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

The Brampton mayor described the legislation as “draconian” and accused Sri Lankan authorities of using it to suppress free expression.

“Criminalizing an artist for expressing his identity and sharing music is a flagrant violation of free speech,” Brown said.

The arrest has also attracted international attention. Amnesty International has raised concerns over the continued use of the PTA, which has long faced criticism from human rights groups for its broad provisions and alleged incompatibility with international human rights standards.

According to Amnesty International, Ganeskumar was arrested June 2 and remains in custody in connection with a musical performance that authorities claim glorified the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the separatist organization that fought Sri Lanka’s government during the country’s decades-long civil war.

The human rights organization has called on Sri Lankan authorities to release the artist unless he is promptly charged with a recognizable criminal offence and afforded due process.

Brown’s intervention is notable because municipal leaders rarely comment on international political disputes. However, Brampton is home to one of Canada’s largest Tamil communities, and the mayor has long been an outspoken advocate on issues affecting Tamils both locally and abroad.

He was a driving force behind the creation of Brampton’s Tamil Genocide Monument, a project that sparked national debate and opposition from some Sri Lankan groups before ultimately moving forward. Brown has repeatedly argued that public recognition of the suffering experienced by Tamils during Sri Lanka’s civil war is an important part of healing and education.

In his statement, Brown linked Ganeskumar’s arrest to broader concerns about the treatment of Tamils in Sri Lanka following the end of the civil war in 2009.

“Acts like this are a painful reminder of why projects like the Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton are so vital,” Brown said.

Canada has increasingly taken a leadership role on Tamil issues. In 2022, the House of Commons unanimously recognized May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, while successive federal governments have pressed Sri Lanka on questions of accountability, reconciliation and human rights.

At the same time, Canada continues to list the LTTE as a terrorist organization, reflecting the complex political landscape surrounding Sri Lanka’s civil conflict and its aftermath.

Brown joined Amnesty International and other human rights advocates in calling for the repeal of the PTA, arguing that freedom of expression is a fundamental democratic right.