“I will make every possible intervention for Anojan's release”: Opposition Leader Sajith

22-Sep-2026

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has said that he would make every possible intervention and effort, irrespective of party, ethnic, religious or caste differences, to secure the release of Sivarasa Anojan, who has been sentenced to death and is currently imprisoned in Saudi Arabia.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa personally met and held discussions on the morning of September 21 Sivarasa Anojan's parents, Thambirasa Sivarasa (father) and Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi (mother), and his brother Sivarasa Hamsithan, who visited the Opposition Leader's Office in Colombo.

Sivarasa Anojan, who holds an engineering degree from Uva Wellassa University, has faced a series of legal difficulties arising from an alleged improper exchange of messages through Facebook and has subsequently been sentenced to death.

During the meeting, the Opposition Leader contacted the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Sri Lanka by telephone and obtained full details regarding Anojan's case. He also spoke directly by telephone with Anojan, who is being held in a Saudi prison, and inquired about his condition.

He further contacted the Secretary to Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and sought information regarding the measures taken by the government thus far to secure Anojan's release.

Speaking during the meeting, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said:

“I respectfully and earnestly appeal to the King of Saudi Arabia to grant relief to Sivarasa Anojan from the punishment imposed on him for this mistake and to secure his complete release. Immediate steps must be taken by every possible party to save his life. I will continue to raise my voice both inside and outside Parliament until he is granted complete freedom.”