President\u2019s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha and President\u2019s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma officially initiated a mission yesterday (23) to save the life of Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan youth sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia over a social media post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This crucial diplomatic effort, carried out under the direct intervention of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, is notable as both President\u2019s Counsels are funding the trip using their personal funds rather than state resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government decided on September 22 to send the two senior legal experts to Saudi Arabia as special diplomatic envoys to plead for Anojan\u2019s life\u2014a decision officially announced in Parliament yesterday by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a preliminary step in this mission, Faiszer Musthapha and Upul Kumarapperuma met with Former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, in the Maldives yesterday afternoon to discuss the request. Mohamed Nasheed, a long-time friend of Sri Lanka, was the first democratically elected President of the Maldives and is internationally recognized as a prominent politician and activist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During this key discussion, former President Nasheed noted that while Anojan’s statement was severe toward the Muslim community, he stands on humanitarian grounds for the helpless youth’s life and assured his full support in efforts to save him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President\u2019s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma confirmed that the meeting in the Maldives was highly successful and stated that they are preparing to depart for Saudi Arabia in the coming days.<\/p>\n