Efforts to Secure Pardon for Anojan; Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra in Qatar

24-Sep-2026

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra said that efforts would be made to approach the highest levels available through diplomatic and legal channels to secure a pardon for Anojan, a Sri Lankan migrant worker reportedly sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.

The Deputy Minister made the remarks while responding to a question raised during a meeting held in Qatar, where he is currently on an official visit.

Speaking further, he said Anojan had initially been sentenced to five years' imprisonment in connection with an offence considered unacceptable under Saudi Arabian law.

He said Anojan's family had met him and that they had been advised regarding the possibility of an appeal. They were told that the Government could not take the decision on their behalf and that there were two options: whether or not to appeal. If they decided to appeal, the Government would facilitate the process. Accordingly, the necessary arrangements for the appeal were made.

He pointed out that although there was no identical case in Sri Lanka, there had been another case in which a sentence was increased following an appeal. There had also been an instance where a person initially sentenced to life imprisonment and subsequently granted a presidential pardon later had the sentence changed to death. Therefore, the family had been advised to carefully consider whether to appeal and informed that the necessary facilities would be provided if they chose to do so.

The Sri Lankan Embassy had also taken the necessary steps concerning Anojan's case. His sentence was increased to death only after the appeal.

He said that irrespective of whether the citizen had done anything right or wrong, when a Sri Lankan citizen faced a serious problem, the Government was duty-bound to address the matter not only as a government but also on humanitarian grounds.

He said he had received a telephone call that morning from Anojan's family, who had informed him that they had come to Colombo. Following the announcement of the death sentence, three Members of Parliament and Deputy Ministers from their side had personally met them. He had also contacted the relevant authorities that morning and arranged an appointment for them to meet the President.

The Government did not conduct all its activities in public, he said. Certain matters had to be handled diplomatically, while others had to be discussed publicly. "Everything cannot be announced over a loudspeaker and released as a video," he said, noting that some matters were highly sensitive. In particular, as the case involved a religious issue, it was especially sensitive in the context of Saudi Arabia.

He said the Government would not approach Anojan's case merely by determining what was right or wrong, but would act on the basis that a Sri Lankan citizen was facing a serious problem.

"We will approach the highest levels available through diplomatic and legal channels and make every effort to secure a pardon for him," he said.

At the same time, he stressed that Sri Lankans living overseas must comply with the laws and regulations of the countries in which they reside.

He said that even when various issues had arisen in recent months, the Government had repeatedly urged Sri Lankans living abroad to comply with the laws of the respective countries. Therefore, although it might be a bitter reality, members of the diaspora must necessarily abide by the laws of the countries in which they live.

He added that the Government would openly pursue matters that could be handled publicly, while other matters would be dealt with discreetly. The Government was duty-bound to take the appropriate course of action in every matter and do everything within its power, Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said.