Tamils around the world react to Anandasangaree becoming Canada’s justice minister
Tamils around the world have congratulated Gary Anandasangaree after he was appointed Canada’s Minister of Justice on Friday, a move that saw him become the first-ever Tamil-Canadian to hold the post.
“On behalf of the Tamil Bar Association, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree on his appointment as Canada’s 54th Minister of Justice and Attorney General—the first person of Tamil origin to hold this esteemed office,” said Prashanth Chandrapal, president of the Tamil Bar Association
“This historic appointment is a testament to Mr. Anandasangaree’s lifelong dedication to justice, human rights, and the rule of law—both in Canada and globally.”
“As Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Mr. Anandasangaree has been a strong advocate for reconciliation and accountability, advancing key initiatives that support self-governance, protect Indigenous languages and culture, and promote economic development.”
“Mr. Anandasangaree has long been a mentor to Tamil lawyers, supporting their growth and representation in the legal profession. We look forward to continuing to work with him to foster a justice system that is fair, transparent, and accessible to all.”
“Gary is a respected leader in our community who brings genuine compassion and a sharp analysis of the way the law impacts those made most marginal by it,” said Krisna Saravanamuttu, a criminal defence lawyer at Rudnicki and Company in Toronto.
“In his role as the Minister of Indigneous Relations, he pursued the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission earnestly, and worked hard to advance reconciliation efforts and resolve land claims across the Canadian state. Alongside our entire office, we look forward to working with Mr. Anandasangaree in his new capacity as the Attorney General and finding common ground on criminal justice issues.”
Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam also sent his congratulations to Anandasangaree, calling it a “tremendous achievement”.
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian S Shritharan shared a photograph alongside Anandasangaree, stating “wishing you great success in your new role!”
Anandasangaree, a lawyer and long-time advocate for Tamil rights, has played a key role in pushing for justice for war crimes and accountability for the genocide in Sri Lanka.