Sri Lankan sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia; Immediate diplomatic intervention requested

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) Parliamentary Group Leader and Batticaloa District Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has called for immediate top-level diplomatic intervention to save the life of Sivarasa Anojan, a resident of Kalmunai in Ampara, who has reportedly been sentenced to death by an appellate court in Saudi Arabia.

Anojan was initially sentenced by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court in Saudi Arabia to five years in prison and a fine of three million Saudi Riyals in connection with a Facebook post.

The death penalty was reportedly handed down after an appeal was lodged against the initial ruling.

In a statement issued today (18), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism stated that action is being taken to safeguard the rights of Anojan Sivarasa and provide the necessary assistance by engaging with Saudi authorities at a diplomatic level through the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh.

MP Rasamanickam stated that he intends to question Parliament next week regarding shortcomings in the appeal process and the extent of the Foreign Ministry’s intervention.

He emphasised that rather than attempting to assign blame, priority at this moment must be given to saving the life of an innocent Sri Lankan.

The parliamentarian further noted that immediate steps must include obtaining the full copy of the court judgment, securing experienced and independent Saudi legal representation, exploring all avenues for a pardon on humanitarian grounds, and initiating direct discussions between Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi Foreign Minister to ensure intervention at the highest state level.