President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said that he would seek a pardon for Sri Lankan national Sivarasa Anojan, who has reportedly been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.
President Dissanayake met Anojan’s parents at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (September 21st) and stated that the government “is making every possible effort to secure a pardon” and that it is “intervening through both legal and diplomatic channels.”
A statement on the President’s social media pages also stated that he is taking steps “to make a formal written diplomatic appeal to the King of Saudi Arabia seeking a pardon for him.”
Background
Anojan, originally from Natpiddimunai in Kalmunai in the Ampara district, is currently employed in Saudi Arabia.
He is alleged to have made a comment on social media that was considered insulting to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, and was reportedly arrested and given a five-year prison sentence along with a fine of three million Saudi Riyals.
On appeal, a Saudi appellate court sentenced Anojan to death.
Opposition voices
Several opposition party politicians have spoken out on the court's decision, urging clemency for Anojan, or a lesser term.
Among them were Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Tamil-speaking party MPs Shanakiyan Rasamanickam and Mano Ganesan.
Rasamanickam questioned the Foreign Ministry’s handling of the situation, saying he would raise the matter in Parliament when it convenes this week.
Former Justice Minister Ali Sabry also spoke out, calling for Saudi authorities to show mercy.
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