UK to extradite Sri Lankan accused of human trafficking

The UK will extradite a Sri Lankan man to France after he was accused of human trafficking while working in a chicken shop.

Sathasivam Sivagankan, 58, organized clandestine Channel crossings from his rental home, according to court documents, according to The sun.

A judge ordered the father of two's extradition to France, where he was convicted last year of human trafficking and sentenced to five years in prison in his absence.

Sivagankan had been granted indefinite leave to remain in Britain after fleeing war in Sri Lanka in 2003 with his wife and sons, British citizens.

The 58-year-old Tamil, from Colliers Wood, south-west London, worked part-time at Morley's chicken shop in Brixton – and received Universal Credit, documents show.

But he was also the leader of a gang which, for two years, smuggled Sri Lankans into several European countries.

Fourteen people were charged with involvement.

A Channel crossing was thwarted in June 2021.

Sivagankan, who has no convictions in the UK, was first arrested in London in March 2022 on behalf of French authorities.

A judge initially ordered his extradition in November 2022 based on a warrant based on charges in France.

He opposed extradition, saying his wife, who was homebound and suffering from physical and mental problems, needed him to care for him.

But on Friday a judge rejected his claims at Westminster magistrates' court.

Court documents said: “He is described as an organizer within a Europe-wide criminal group operating in numerous countries. »

In January 2023, Sivagankan was convicted in absentia by the Beauvois court, near Paris.

The High Court quashed the original extradition warrant in October 2023, but a new one, based on his conviction, was issued the following month.

Following Friday's ruling, Sivagankan is on £10,000 bail, subject to a curfew and must wear a tag while awaiting extradition. (The Sun / Colombo Gazette)

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