COLOMBO (News 1st): A four-member delegation, including two President’s Counsels, is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday (5) to hold discussions on commuting the death sentence imposed on Anojan Sivarasa.President’s Counsels Upul Kumarapperuma and Faiszer Musthapha are among the delegation.The team is expected to hold discussions with representatives of two bar associations in Saudi Arabia next Wednesday or Thursday.Meanwhile, the Chief Prelates of the Ramanya Maha Nikaya and the Amarapura Maha Nikaya recently handed over a memorandum to the President, calling for necessary state intervention to secure Anojan Sivarasa’s release.An appeal seeking to commute his sentence is also due to be submitted to the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia through the Attorney General’s Department.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Sri Lankan Embassy in Saudi Arabia is closely monitoring the matter and continuing to coordinate with Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels.The Al-Ahsa Criminal Court in Saudi Arabia had initially sentenced Anojan Sivarasa to five years in prison and imposed a fine of three million Saudi Riyals over a statement he made on social media.Following an appeal filed by Anojan’s side, a further application was subsequently submitted to the court against the sentence.The death penalty was later imposed after the appeals were considered.Anojan Sivarasa, a resident of Natpittimunai in Kalmunai, had travelled to Saudi Arabia for employment nine months ago.
