Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said today that Sri Lanka will send a special diplomatic delegation to Saudi Arabia to seek the release or reduction of the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, once the ongoing legal process is completed.
Speaking in Parliament, Minister Herath said Saudi authorities had informed the Sri Lankan Government that any request for clemency should be made only after the legal proceedings are concluded, as the case has been referred to the Supreme Court.
Responding to a question raised by MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, he said Saudi authorities had also made it clear that they would not permit any intervention in the judicial process.
According to the Minister, a four-member Sri Lankan legal delegation, including Additional Solicitor General Azard Navavi, PC, is currently in Saudi Arabia and is holding discussions with the Saudi legal team regarding the filing of an appeal before the Supreme Court.
Minister Herath said the appeal is expected to be filed with the Saudi Supreme Court today or tomorrow.
He added that October 17 is the final date for the ongoing legal process. Following its conclusion and an assessment of the legal situation, the Sri Lankan Government will decide on sending a diplomatic delegation to Saudi Arabia to pursue clemency for Anojan Sivarasa.
