Fasting Campaign and Signature Drive Launched in Colombo Seeking Release of Sri Lankan Facing Death Penalty in Saudi Arabia

A special peaceful fasting campaign has been launched in Colombo calling on the Saudi Arabian authorities to grant clemency and release Sivarasa Anojan, a Sri Lankan youth from the Eastern Province who is reportedly being held in a Saudi Arabian prison and facing the death penalty.

The campaign, organised by the Sri Lanka Hindu Organisations Collective, is being held opposite the Colombo Fort Railway Station.

Organisers said the main objective of the protest is to support and strengthen efforts being undertaken by the Sri Lankan Government, as well as Tamil, Muslim and Buddhist organisations, to secure Anojan’s release.

The fasting campaign began at 9.00 a.m. and is scheduled to continue until 5.00 p.m. Organisers have also appealed to members of the Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala communities living in Colombo to come together and support the peaceful campaign.

In addition, a special signature campaign is being conducted to obtain signatures from representatives of Hindu organisations and 1,000 temples across Sri Lanka in support of Anojan’s release.

The public petition containing the signatures is expected to be handed over to the Sri Lankan Government, the Saudi Arabian Government, the Government of India and the United Nations (UN).

Dr. N.K.S. Thiruchelvam, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Hindu Organisations Collective, further appealed to people of all communities and religions to unite and extend their support to help save the life of what he described as an innocent young man facing the death penalty.