By The Pulseline News Desk
A four-member Sri Lankan legal delegation led by Additional Solicitor General Azard Navavi, PC, are to travel to Saudi Arabia today (6) as efforts intensify to secure the release or mitigation of the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa.
Sivarasa, who was serving a prison sentence in Saudi Arabia for a blasphemy-related offence, has had his sentence converted to the death penalty.
The delegation includes Faizer Musthapha PC, Upul Kumarapperuma PC and Attorney-at-Law Hafeel Farisz.
Navavi has told the media that the delegation will meet representatives of two Saudi legal firms handling Sivarasa’s case and work towards finalising the documents required for the Supreme Court appeal.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has secured the services of the two legal firms to assist with the case.
The Sri Lankan delegation is also expected to meet Saudi officials to explore possible avenues for addressing the matter and seeking relief for Sivarasa.
Background to the Case
Sivarasa’s case has drawn the attention of the Sri Lankan Government as he faces the possibility of execution in Saudi Arabia following the conversion of his prison sentence to death. The case concerns an offence classified as blasphemy under Saudi law, where penalties for certain offences can be severe. Sri Lankan authorities have been pursuing legal and diplomatic avenues to seek relief for the national. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has arranged legal representation in Saudi Arabia, while efforts are also being made to engage directly with Saudi authorities. The latest initiative combines a Supreme Court appeal with a presidential clemency request aimed at preventing the execution and securing a reduction of the sentence.
Meanwhile, a separate parliamentary delegation is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia carrying a clemency appeal from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The presidential appeal is expected to form part of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic efforts to seek clemency for Sivarasa, while the legal team works on the Supreme Court process.
The developments mark an escalation of Sri Lanka’s efforts to intervene in the case through legal representation, diplomatic engagement and a direct appeal for clemency.
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