Colombo, 02 October 2026 – Leading Buddhist Mahanayaka Theros, joined by prominent representatives of the Hindu community, have formally appealed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, seeking urgent state intervention to secure the release of Sri Lankan national Sivarasa Anojan, who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.
Memorandum Submitted to Presidential Secretariat
The pivotal memorandum, jointly issued by Most Venerable Makulwe Wimalabuddhi Thero, Mahanayake Thero of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, and Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithreemurthi Thero, Supreme Mahanayake Thera of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya, was officially handed over on September 30th at the Presidential Secretariat.
Venerable Dr Omalpe Sobhitha Thero, Chief Sanghanayake of Southern Lanka, presented the significant document to Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President. This act underscored the unified plea emanating from the prominent Buddhist ecclesiastical chapters for swift action.
Interfaith Solidarity for Humanitarian Appeal
In a demonstration of broader national concern and interfaith solidarity, a separate memorandum was also submitted on behalf of the Hindu community. This plea was presented by Dr. Sivasri K. V. K. Vaithiswara Kurukkal, who holds positions as both the President of the Hindu Priests’ Association and the President of the All Ceylon Hindu Cultural Council. His submission reinforces the collective desire across religious lines for Anojan’s safe return.
Distinguished Personalities Present
The critical event at the Presidential Secretariat saw the attendance of several other notable figures, signifying the widespread support for the cause. Among those present were Venerable Pagoda Janthawansa Thero, Venerable Wepathaira Dhammasiri Thera, and Sivasri Kugathasa Kurukkal, a respected member of the Hindu Priests’ Association. Legal expertise was represented by Attorney-at-Law Tanuja Navaratne, alongside social activist R. A. Amila Sanjeewa, highlighting the multi-faceted effort behind this humanitarian appeal.
Call for State Intervention in Grave Matter
The submission of these memoranda collectively emphasizes the grave nature of Sivarasa Anojan’s situation, facing capital punishment abroad. The unified voice of the nation’s spiritual leaders and civil society aims to galvanize robust diplomatic and state-level interventions to commute the sentence and secure the life and liberty of the Sri Lankan citizen.
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