The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) has sought an urgent meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss diplomatic efforts to secure a pardon and the release of 26-year-old Sivarasa Anojan, a Sri Lankan national sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.
In a letter dated September 22, ITAK President C.V.K. Sivagnanam and General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran PC urged the President to take urgent action given the seriousness of Anojan’s situation.
The party also nominated Ampara District MP Kavendran Kodeeswaran to join a proposed delegation to Saudi Arabia, following an announcement in Parliament by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath regarding plans to send a delegation to the country.
ITAK said it was awaiting an early response from the President regarding its request for a meeting.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on September 23, ITAK said its MPs had held discussions with diplomatic missions in Colombo and representatives of several countries in recent days to seek international support for Anojan.
According to ITAK Parliamentary Group Leader MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, diplomatic representatives were briefed on the facts of the case as known to the party, while their support was sought for efforts to obtain a pardon and secure Anojan’s eventual release.
He said diaspora organisations working with ITAK had also approached governments and relevant authorities in countries where they operate, seeking diplomatic and humanitarian assistance.
Rasamanickam said these engagements had identified additional diplomatic avenues and proposals that should be urgently considered by the Sri Lankan Government.
The MP said ITAK now wants to brief President Dissanayake directly on the diplomatic initiatives already undertaken and present specific proposals for further action, including seeking assistance from friendly countries that may be able to support Sri Lanka in its engagement with Saudi authorities.
He stressed the need for coordinated, high-level diplomatic efforts alongside the ongoing consular and diplomatic measures by the Sri Lankan Government.
ITAK said it remains willing to work with the President, the Foreign Ministry, diplomatic partners, diaspora organisations and other relevant parties to pursue all available avenues aimed at securing a pardon and the safe release of Anojan.
