By Newswire Editorial

The family of Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, who was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia before being cleared of all charges, has expressed gratitude to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for his intervention in securing Sivarasa’s release.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), Sivarasa’s family members met the President at the Presidential Secretariat today (12) to personally thank him for his efforts.

During the meeting, President Dissanayake stated that standing up for Sri Lankan citizens at all times was his responsibility.

He also expressed appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia and all individuals who contributed to securing Sivarasa’s release, irrespective of race, religion or political affiliation.

Meanwhile, Sivarasa’s parents informed the President that their son was currently in good health.

Sivarasa’s mother thanked the President for his involvement from the beginning in securing her son’s release from the death sentence and clearing him of all charges.

She also expressed gratitude to Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia O.L. Ameer Ajwad and the embassy staff.

She further thanked the lawyers who travelled to Saudi Arabia to provide legal assistance and all Sri Lankans who supported efforts to secure her son’s release.

Meanwhile, social activist Rajkumar Rajeevkanth thanked the President for fulfilling a promise made during their first meeting to intervene in Sivarasa’s case.

He revealed that Sivarasa’s parents had experienced severe psychological distress during the period, particularly following the execution of a Bangladeshi couple in Saudi Arabia.

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Kosala Wickramasinghe was also present at the meeting. (Newswire)