Religious leaders petition President over Sri Lankan on death row in Saudi Arabia

Saturday, 3 October 2026 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Buddhist and Hindu religious leaders have submitted memoranda to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake seeking State intervention to secure the release of Sivarasa Anojan, who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia. Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake said the necessary intervention is already being carried out.

The memorandum from Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya Mahanayake Ven. Makulwe Wimalabuddhi Thero and Amarapura Maha Nikaya Supreme Mahanayake Ven. Karagoda Uyangoda Maithreemurthi Thero was handed over to Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage at the Presidential Secretariat on 30 September, 2026 by Southern Lanka Chief Sanghanayake Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

A separate memorandum was submitted on behalf of the Hindu community by Hindu Priests’ Association and All Ceylon Hindu Cultural Council President Dr. Sivasri K. V. K. Vaithiswara Kurukkal.

Pagoda Janthawansa Thero, Wepathaira Dhammasiri Thero, Hindu Priests’ Association member Sivasri Kugathasa Kurukkal, Attorney-at-Law Tanuja Navaratne and social activist R. A. Amila Sanjeewa were also present. On the same day, Kandyan Hindu Priests’ Association of Sri Lanka General Secretary Dr. Siva Sri Velu Suresh Sharma Kurukkal handed over a memorandum to Dr. Kumanayake, who responded that the Government was already intervening in the case.