Canada prides itself on multiculturalism, transparency, and justice. Yet, the recent actions of three influential figures—Gary Anandasangaree, Stewart Bell, and Rohan Gunaratna—raise significant questions about motives, loyalty, and integrity within the spheres of politics, media, and academia. Using both publicly available documentation and my lived experience, this article critically examines the roles and integrity of these individuals amidst recent policy developments.
1. Gary Anandasangaree: From Refugee Advocate to Strong Borders Architect
Born in Jaffna in 1973 and arriving in Canada as a refugee in 1983, Gary Anandasangaree (formerly Sathiyasangaree) began his political career as a human rights lawyer and Liberal MP in 2015 (Wikipedia, 2025). His appointment as Minister of Public Safety in May 2025 positioned him at the centre of Bill C‑2, the Strong Borders Act (Wikipedia, 2025; Public Safety Canada, 2025).
Bill C‑2 expands border and national security powers, including:
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Enhanced surveillance and enforcement across customs, coast guard, and CSIS;
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Greater authority to suspend or cancel immigration documents;
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Tighter asylum eligibility criteria (Public Safety Canada, 2025; connect2canada.com, 2025).
Critics argue these measures echo authoritarian policies, particularly mirroring Trump-era restrictions (Shanmugathas, 2025). The JURIST commentary states that Anandasangaree “openly admitted” the bill addresses “irritants for the U.S.,” suggesting a willingness to sacrifice refugee protections to accommodate American pressure (Shanmugathas, 2025).
For a man once lauded for defending Tamil and other refugee groups—especially during MV Sun Sea and Ocean Lady arrivals—his shift to stricter immigration enforcement marks a jarring reversal (Wikipedia, 2025; Shanmugathas, 2025). Though he has recused himself from direct involvement in matters concerning the Tamil community, such a move may serve more as a symbolic shield than genuine accountability (Shanmugathas, 2025).
2. Stewart Bell: Journalist, Advocate, or Propagandist?
Stewart Bell is a Canadian journalist who focuses on domestic terrorism, credited for works like Cold Terror (2004), The Martyr’s Oath (2005), and Bayou of Pigs (2008) (Fraser Institute, n.d.; National Defence University Press, 2025).
Cold Terror accuses Canada of harboring extremist groups—including Tamil, Sikh, and Islamic organizations—and calls for urgent national action (Bell, 2004; Jyoti, 2009). The Times Higher Education review described the book as a “terrifying” revelation, while the Globe and Mail acknowledged its alarming revelations (Times Higher Education, 2004; Jyoti, 2009).
In my interactions with Bell, I observed that he frequently relied on unnamed sources aligned with Sri Lankan intelligence, reflecting a narrative steeped in security-state logic and lacking broader context—such as the surveillance operations targeting Tamil communities (my experience, 2000-2009).
Bell continues to focus on Tamil groups, including coverage of World Tamil Movement raids and the proscription of the LTTE in Canada (Wikipedia, 2025; Wikipedia, 2025). His recent reporting on Anandasangaree’s past advocacy subtly demeans the Minister, framing his transformation as questionable (Bell & Stephenson, 2025). This portrayal reflects what many in the Tamil-Canadian community perceive as consistent alignment with state interests rather than neutral journalism.
3. Rohan Gunaratna: The Academic as Intelligence Agent
Rohan Gunaratna is a high-profile counter-terrorism expert, currently Professor of Security Studies at RSIS, Singapore, and author of 20 books such as Inside Al Qaeda (Columbia University Press, 2002) (Wikipedia, 2025; RSIS, 2025). He holds multiple appointments—including roles at Global Peace Institute UK and the Consortium for Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Wikipedia, 2025). His credentials are supported by professorship and policy advisories including testimony before the 9/11 Commission (Wikipedia, 2025; RSIS, 2025).
Yet, his academic credibility is marred by controversy. In 2014, Gunaratna lost a defamation lawsuit against the Canadian Tamil Congress for falsely alleging links to the LTTE, resulting in a $53,000 damages award (Wikipedia, 2025). Critics have dismissed some of his claims—especially concerning Hambali and Al-Qaeda involvement—as “narrow” or “unreliable” (Wikipedia, 2025). These cases highlight a pattern: Gunaratna weaponizes terrorism research to influence policy and reputation, regardless of empirical accuracy.
Most recently, he used X (formerly Twitter) to amplify Bell’s critique of Anandasangaree, calling on governments to “be vigilant… protecting the safety and security of all its citizens” (Gunaratna, 2025). His involvement helped frame the Minister as vulnerable and compromised—yet this campaign masks his own history of misrepresentation.
4. Interwoven Threads: Power, Manipulation, and Psychological Leverage
My personal story—of being drawn into intelligence networks, coerced into betrayal, surveilled, and slowly consumed by Canada’s intelligence machinery—mirrors how these three individuals operated:
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Anandasangaree, once a defender of refugees, now champions policies that threaten the same communities he once served.
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Bell shapes public narratives through selective storytelling, emphasizing threats while omitting acts of espionage against minority communities.
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Gunaratna fuses intelligence and scholarship to influence policy, regardless of consequences or accuracy.
This triad illustrates a larger pattern: those in positions of influence selectively retool narratives to match institutional objectives—whether political, disciplinary, or ideological. My experiences underscore how vulnerable voices can be manipulated by these systems.
Conclusion: Reclaiming the Canadian Narrative
I experienced firsthand how Canadian and Sri Lankan state actors exploited my vulnerability, using fear and coercion. In confronting these figures, this article doesn’t seek retribution, but accountability.
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Anandasangaree must be held accountable for renouncing earlier commitments and risking refugee protections under his watch.
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Bell must reflect on whether his role is shaped by journalism or utilitarian service to state narratives.
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Gunaratna needs to bridge his academic prestige with honesty and responsibility.
Canada prides itself on fairness and freedom. To truly honor those values—including mine, earned through immense struggle—this nation must scrutinize those who shape its narrative and policy from behind the curtain.
References
Bell, S. (2004). Cold Terror: How Canada nurtures and exports terrorism around the world. Wiley.
Bell, S., & Stephenson, M. (2025, June 6). Public safety minister asks officials to ‘screen’ him from conflict of interest. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/11213453/public-safety-minister-gary-anandasangaree-border-security-conflict-of-interest/
Gunaratna, R. [@RohanGunaratna]. (2025, June 7). Governments should be vigilant and rigorously interested in protecting the safety and security of all its citizens! [X post]. X. https://x.com/RohanGunaratna/status/1931550248490406362
Fraser Institute. (n.d.). Stewart Bell. Fraser Institute. Retrieved June 2025, from https://www.fraserinstitute.org/profile/stewart-bell
Public Safety Canada. (2025, June 3). Government of Canada strengthens border security. Government of Canada. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2025/06/government-of-canada-strengthens-border-security.html
Shanmugathas, P. (2025, June 6). Canadian Minister Anandasangaree’s border bill constitutes a vicious assault on immigrant rights. JURIST Commentary. Retrieved from https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2025/06/canadian-minister-anandasangarees-border-bill-constitutes-a-vicious-assault-on-immigrant-rights/
Wikipedia. (2025a, updated June). Gary Anandasangaree. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Anandasangaree
Wikipedia. (2025b, updated May). Rohan Gunaratna. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohan_Gunaratna
Wikipedia. (2025c, updated February). Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_Tigers_of_Tamil_Eelam
RSIS. (2025). Dr Rohan Gunaratna. S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. Retrieved from https://rsis.edu.sg/profile/rohan-gunaratna
Times Higher Education. (2004, February). Carnage and hatred crafted in Canada. Times Higher Education.