Release Sivarasa Anojan on Humanitarian Grounds: Kavindran Kodeeswaran

22-Jul-2026

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Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) MP for the Ampara District, Kavindran Kodeeswaran, has urged the Government to take steps to secure the release of Sivarasa Anojan, who has been arrested in Saudi Arabia on charges of insulting the Prophet Muhammad, on humanitarian grounds.

Speaking during the adjournment debate on the activities of the Committee on Public Petitions in Parliament on July 21, the MP appealed to the Government to intervene diplomatically.

He said Anojan was arrested after posting comments on social media during a controversy that arose while devotees were undertaking the annual foot pilgrimage from Jaffna to Kataragama.

According to the MP, the controversy began after a dog named Subramaniyam was allegedly assaulted, leading to exchanges on Facebook between members of different religious communities.

He said that in an emotional response, Anojan, a Sri Lankan Tamil employed in Saudi Arabia, posted remarks critical of the Prophet Muhammad, who is revered by Muslims and followers of other faiths. However, the post was deleted within five minutes, and he had apologised publicly for his mistake.

Despite acknowledging his error and apologising to the Muslim community, Anojan was arrested after complaints were reportedly made to the Saudi authorities.

Kodeeswaran maintained that the act had not been intentional but was committed in a moment of emotion. He urged the Government to take up the matter with the Saudi Government and provide every possible assistance through diplomatic channels, including the Saudi Embassy, to secure Anojan's release.