The Government has taken several measures to assist Sivarasa Anojan, a Sri Lankan national who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.
Speaking at today’s (22) Cabinet decisions media briefing, the Minister said that the Government had been intervening in the matter through diplomatic channels and Sri Lankan diplomatic missions since the case was reported.
He said steps were also being taken for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to send a letter to the King of Saudi Arabia seeking a pardon for Anojan or a reduction of his sentence.
The Government is also planning to send a parliamentary delegation representing both the Government and the Opposition, led by the Deputy Speaker, to Saudi Arabia to hand over the letter to the Saudi King, the Minister said.
President Dissanayake has also met with Anojan’s parents and held discussions with relevant institutions regarding further legal and diplomatic measures.
The Minister further said that the Government would bear the full cost of the legal proceedings in Saudi Arabia and would reimburse relevant legal expenses already incurred by Anojan’s family.
He also stated that President’s Counsels Upul Kumarapperuma and Faizer Mustapha, who is also a Member of Parliament, are providing legal assistance in the matter at their own expense.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that it continues to closely monitor Anojan’s case through the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh and remains engaged with the relevant Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels.
