Muslim MPs write to Saudi King seeking pardon for Anojan

28-Sep-2026

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Sri Lankan Muslim MPs have jointly sent an official letter to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud seeking a pardon on humanitarian grounds for Sri Lankan Tamil national Sivarasa Anojan, who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.

The letter has been signed by Muslim political party leaders Rauff Hakeem and Rishad Bathiudeen, Deputy Speaker Dr Rizvi Salih, Deputy Ministers Muneer Mulaffer and Arqam Ilyas, and other Muslim MPs from both the Government and Opposition.

The letter states that Anojan has expressed sincere remorse for his actions and conveyed his deep respect for the Prophet Muhammad and the religious sentiments of Muslims.

The MPs have also appealed to the Saudi King to grant Anojan a royal pardon, with the mercy of Allah, taking into consideration the poverty faced by his family and the long-standing friendship between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.

They have further requested that steps be taken either to reduce the sentence imposed on him or to waive the fine, either in full or in part.

The letter states that Anojan is a low-income worker and that his family in Sri Lanka depends heavily on his earnings.

At the same time, they have stated in the letter that they have full respect for the legal authority, sovereignty and judicial institutions of Saudi Arabia.

The MPs have pointed out that their request is being made entirely on humanitarian grounds, based on the long-standing bilateral relations and goodwill between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.