ITAK seeks urgent meeting with president to save Sri Lankan on Saudi death row

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake requesting an urgent meeting to secure a pardon and release for twenty-six-year-old Sivarasa Anojan, who is facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.

In a formal letter sent on twenty-two September, the party called for high-level diplomatic intervention to pursue every possible avenue for his return.

ITAK has nominated Ampara District Member of Parliament Kavendran Kodeeswaran to serve as its representative on a state delegation to Saudi Arabia, which was previously announced in parliament by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The move follows recent discussions between ITAK lawmakers and foreign diplomatic missions in Colombo, alongside efforts by partner diaspora organisations appealing to international governments for humanitarian assistance.

The party intends to brief President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on these international engagements and outline new diplomatic proposals, including seeking support from friendly nations to liaise with Saudi officials.

ITAK emphasised that coordinated action alongside the government's ongoing consular work is critical to securing a pardon, stating its full commitment to working with the administration, foreign partners, and diaspora groups.

The letter was signed by ITAK President C.V.K. Sivagnanam and General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran, President's Counsel, and issued by Parliamentary Group Leader Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rasamanickam.