Edward Snowden's 'Guardian Angels' with lawyer Robert Tibbo. (David Wong)

Family Who Helped Edward Snowden Asks for Asylum to Canada

A family from Sri Lanka referred to as ‘Snowden’s Guardian Angel’s’ through their lawyer asked the Canadian government to grant them asylum on Wednesday (5/29). The family who is also a refugee in Hong Kong consists of Supun Kellapatha, his partner Nadeeka Nonis, and their two young children.

In addition, a former Sri Lankan army Ajit Kumara who also assisted Snowden is also a part of the group. However, he is still waiting for the decision from Hong Kong officials on whether he can travel.

The family said they were experiencing political persecution and facing deportation after their initial refugee claims in Hong Kong were rejected. They sheltered Snowden in their tiny apartment in 2013 when he was on the run after stealing highly confidential US National Security Agency data.

In March, Guillaime Cliche-Rivard of a non-governmental group For the Refugees has sponsored two other people who also helped the US government fugitive—Vanessa Rodel and her 7-years-old daughter Keana from the Philippines. Rodel said that Kellapatha is her daughter’s father.

Rodel who first arrived in Canada asked the government to extend its welcome to her family because they have been having psychological trauma since separated.  

In the case of rejecting their refugee status, Cliche-Rivard said that Hong Kong is a persecutor within the meaning of the Geneva Convention, as he pointed out to the precedent set by Germany for granting asylum to two democracy activists.