The government has taken a series of measures to secure a pardon for Sri Lankan national Sivarasa Anojan, who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing today (22), Minister Jayatissa said the government had been making diplomatic interventions on the matter since the incident was first reported, including through Sri Lankan diplomatic missions abroad.

He said arrangements were also being made for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to send a formal appeal to the King of Saudi Arabia, seeking clemency for Sivarasa Anojan and a reduction of his sentence.

The government is also planning to send a cross-party parliamentary delegation, led by the Deputy Speaker, to deliver the President’s appeal to the Saudi authorities, the Minister said.

Additionally, the government has decided to cover the full cost of the legal proceedings related to the case. This includes reimbursing expenses already incurred and covering future expenses associated with the proceedings.

Minister Jayatissa said two President’s Counsels, Upul Kumarapperuma and Faizer Mustapha, are also providing legal assistance and reviewing the case at their own expense.

He said President Dissanayake had discussed the matter with Anojan’s family yesterday, while a separate meeting had previously been held with officials from the Attorney General’s Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant institutions to discuss possible measures to secure the Sri Lankan’s release from the death sentence.

“The government is continuing to pursue several measures in this regard,” Minister Jayatissa said, emphasizing that diplomatic, legal and political channels were being pursued to assist Sivarasa Anojan.