The Growing Sri Lankan Campaign to Save ‘Anojan Sivarasa’

Sri Lankans are slowly building a campaign to save ‘Anojan Sivarasa; one of its own from a reported death sentence in Saudi Arabia.

The case has drawn intervention from the Sri Lankan Government, opposition politicians, religious organisations, community groups and Anojan’s family, with appeals now being directed towards both the Saudi judicial process and the country’s highest authorities.

This is not a new thing for Sri Lanka as a whole

Its citizens representing diverse ethnic groups such as Sinhalese the majorities, and then the tamils, and muslims, all ‘rallies’ round when a ‘fellow’ citizen of its own needs support.

Government moves to seek pardon

The strongest official intervention came on Monday, September 21, when the country’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met Anojan’s parents at the Presidential Secretariat.

The President assured the family that the Government was pursuing both legal and diplomatic avenues and said a formal written diplomatic appeal would be made to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia seeking a pardon for Anojan.

The President also said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already made representations to relevant Saudi authorities and that the Government was closely monitoring developments.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath is also scheduled to make a special statement in Parliament on September 22 concerning the case.

The Government’s intervention comes as questions have also been raised about the legal and consular handling of the case, including the process surrounding an earlier appeal.

Parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, an MP representing the Eastern Electoral district of Batticoalo has called for those issues to be examined while stressing that immediate action should be taken to protect Anojan’s life.

National Shoora Council appeals directly to Saudi King

One of the clearest documented appeals for clemency has come from the National Shoora Council of Sri Lanka, a collective body of muslim organizations and eminent individuals in the country.

In a letter dated September 19, the council appealed to King Salman to consider granting royal clemency to Anojan.

The council said its appeal was made on humanitarian grounds and was not intended to challenge Saudi Arabia’s judicial system or its sovereignty.

It also highlighted Anojan’s reported remorse and public apology, as well as his family circumstances and limited financial means.

This is significant because it represents a formal written appeal directly to the Saudi King, rather than simply a domestic call for government intervention.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa joins appeal

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has also publicly appealed for mercy.

In a social media statement, Premadasa urged Saudi authorities to “keep the path to mercy open”, while noting that the reported death sentence had not yet been formally confirmed by Sri Lankan authorities.

His intervention adds an opposition voice to the Government’s diplomatic efforts.

Shanakiyan calls for urgent intervention

Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam has repeatedly called for urgent intervention.

He has said that saving Anojan’s life should take priority over political differences and has called for both Government and opposition figures to work together.

Former Foreign Minister Ali Sabry appeals for clemency

Former Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has separately called on Saudi authorities to grant Anojan clemency.

Sabry stressed that respect for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and legal system does not prevent Sri Lanka from asking for mercy.

He also referred to reports that Anojan removed the social-media comment and subsequently issued a public apology, arguing that these circumstances should be taken into consideration when clemency is considered.

Sabry has also called for effective legal representation and urgent diplomatic intervention.

Rishad Bathiudeen seeks wider Muslim intervention

Former Minister and MP Rishad Bathiudeen has also become involved in efforts to secure Anojan’s release.

He visited Anojan’s family and said he would seek to bring together Muslim parliamentarians to appeal to the Saudi authorities.

Bathiudeen has also indicated that he would seek the intervention of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU).

Hindu organisations take to the streets

The campaign has also moved beyond politicians and diplomatic channels.

Members of the Hindu Organisations Forum staged a demonstration in Batticaloa on September 20, calling for urgent diplomatic action and a pardon for Anojan.

A separate silent protest was held at Malliappu Junction in Hatton, up in the tea region of Sri Lanka organised by the Federation of Hindu Organisations, Sri Lanka.

Participants called for Anojan to be released and brought back to Sri Lanka.

A public signature campaign seeking a pardon also began in the Kalmunai area, with Anojan’s mother participating.

Anojan’s family seeks answers

The family’s campaign has intensified as uncertainty remains over the precise legal status of the case.

Reports on September 21 said Anojan had contacted his family by telephone and urged them to act quickly to secure his release.

His relatives were also expected to visit the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Colombo to seek clarification about the case and its current status.

What is actually confirmed?

The situation is developing rapidly, and several facts should not be confused.

According to reporting based on information from Sri Lankan authorities, Anojan was initially sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and fined SAR 3 million in connection with a social-media case.

A later appeal reportedly resulted in the punishment being increased to death.

However, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry has said it is awaiting the formal written Saudi judgment. Consequently, details of the reported capital sentence and the precise legal reasoning behind it should be treated cautiously until the official document is obtained.

The Foreign Ministry has nevertheless indicated that it is engaging Saudi authorities and that legal avenues remain relevant.

A campaign gathering momentum

The response now involves several distinct groups:

The Sri Lankan Government, which says it will formally appeal to the Saudi King for a pardon.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who has personally met Anojan’s parents.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who is due to address Parliament on the case.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who has publicly called for mercy.
MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, who is pressing for urgent diplomatic and legal intervention.
Former Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, who has appealed directly for clemency.
MP Rishad Bathiudeen, who is seeking wider political and religious intervention.
The National Shoora Council, which has made a written appeal to the Saudi King.
Hindu organisations, which have held public demonstrations and called for Anojan’s release.
A public campaign in Kalmunai, seeking signatures for a pardon.
Anoj an’s family, who continue to seek intervention through diplomatic and legal channels.

The next significant development is likely to be the formal written Saudi judgment, together with the legal process available to Anojan and the diplomatic response from Sri Lanka.

For now, the campaign is centred on two parallel objectives: securing every available legal remedy in Saudi Arabia and persuading the Saudi authorities to exercise clemency.

The Sri Lankan Government’s decision to formally appeal to the Saudi King marks the latest and highest-level public intervention in a campaign that has rapidly expanded from Anojan’s family to politicians, religious organisations and communities across the country.

Sri Lankan Media organizations too has come forward appealing to Saudi Government seeking his release.

Sri Lanka stands firm to save one of its citizens!