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NSC issues humanitarian appeal on behalf of Sri Lankan facing death sentence in Saudi Arabia

Published

4 days ago

2026/09/23

The National Shoora Council (NSC) has submitted a humanitarian appeal to the King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia seeking royal clemency and compassionate consideration for Sri Lankan citizen Sivarasa Anujan, convicted and sentenced by a Saudi Court to five years of imprisonment and a financial fine of three million Saudi Riyals for publicizing contemptuous utterances insulting Holy Prophet Muhammed. Sentence is said to have been enhanced in appeal to a sentence of death on Anujan, yet to be confirmed.

The NSC is a home-grown and apolitical umbrella organization representing 14 national-level Muslim organizations in Sri Lanka

The appeal states that ‘while reaffirming respect for the sovereignty, laws, and judicial institutions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’, the NSC has clarified that this appeal ‘does not contest or question the ruling of the competent judicial authorities. Instead, it is submitted strictly on humanitarian grounds, urging consideration of Mr. Anujan’s personal, financial, and family circumstances’.

The appeal signed by NSC President M.M. Zuhair President’s Counsel and NSC General Secretary Rasheed M Imthiyas Attorney at Law highlights key humanitarian factors for the Saudi ruler’s consideration on an urgent basis.

* Sincere Remorse and Repentance: Mr. Anujan has publicly expressed deep regret and genuine repentance via social media, seeking forgiveness and reaffirming his respect for the universally recognized status of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) and the religious sentiments of Muslims.

* Context of Provocation: The incident arose amid sudden emotional reactions to material circulating on social media following a recent Hindu religious procession in East Sri Lanka. “While not legitimising Anujan’s reactions, the NSC has pleaded for absolute clemency referring to this young man’s subsequent remorse and apology as critically important mitigating circumstances for granting clemency.

* Severe Economic Hardship: Mr. Anujan is a modest-income migrant technocrat employed in Saudi Arabia and supporting a large family in Sri Lanka from his Saudi earnings. His absence places severe financial strain on his dependents, and he lacks the financial capacity to pay the heavy fine, leaving an economically vulnerable family without livelihood.

* Disrupted Life Plans: Prior to his detention, Anujan was preparing to marry a young woman from a low-income family in his village later this year. His current imprisonment has created profound uncertainty and distress for both families.

* Promoting Coexistence and Goodwill: As an organisation dedicated to peaceful coexistence among Sri Lanka’s diverse Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities, the NSC believes that a compassionate resolution will bring immense relief, foster interfaith harmony, and further strengthen the longstanding bonds of friendship between Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

NSC has forwarded copies of the appeal to Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake; Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, Mr. Yaser Bin Abdulrahman Al-Hazme, Chargé d’ Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Colombo, Deputy Speaker of Sri Lanka Parliament Dr Rizvie Salih, Governor Haneef Yusuf and Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs Muneer Mulaffar.

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Thileepan rembered on 39th death anniversary

Published

3 hours ago

2026/09/26

Priyan

(Pic by PRIYAN DE SILVA)

A commemorative service was held in memory of Rasaiah Parthipan commonly known by the nom de guerre ‘Thileepan’ in Nallur Jaffna this morning (26).

Parthipan a revolutionary member of the LTTE and a student of the University of Jaffna, commenced a hunger strike on 15th September 1987 untill his death on 26th September 1987. He was 23 years old at the time of his demise.

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambanthota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

Published

16 hours ago

2026/09/26

Priyan

The National Building Research Institute has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambanthota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 16:00 hrs on 25.09.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 26.09.2026

Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Neluwa, Nagoda, Niyagama and Thawalama inthe Galle district, Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, and Kothmale West, Ambagamuwa, Kotmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district.

LEVEL II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Elpitiya, Baddegama and Karandeniya in the Galle district, Walallawita in the Kalutara district, Deltota, Udunuwara, Gangawata Korale, Yatinuwara and Panvila in the Kandy district, Aranayake, Dehiowita, Mawanella, Deraniyagala and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district, Thalawakelle in the Nuwara Eliya district and Ratnapura and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka and Padukka in the Colombo district, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Katuwana and Walasmulla in the Hambanthota district, Ingiriya and Bulathsinhala in the Kalutara district, Hatharaliyadda, Poojapitiya, Medadumbara, Kundasale, Ududumbara, Thumpane, Akurana, Pathadumbara, Harispattuwa and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Warakapola, Bulathkohupitiya, Galigamuwa, Kegalle and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kegalle district, Pitabeddara, Kotapola and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Nuwara Eliya in the Nuwara Eliya district and Elapatha, Ayagama, Nivithigala, Kuruwita and Kalawana in the Ratnapura district

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22A, Judicature Amendment Bills passed with 2/3 majority

Published

18 hours ago

2026/09/26

Thilina Walpola

Parliament yesterday passed the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill with two-thirds majorities, with 158 MPs voting in favour and 63 against each Bill.

The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) voted with the SJB against the Bills.

NDF MPs Ravi Karunanayake and Faizer Musthapha and SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka were not present when the votes were taken.

The final vote on the Judicature (Amendment) Bill was announced at around 8.08 p.m. after Opposition MPs called for divisions on its clauses during the Committee Stage.

The votes followed a two-day debate which commenced on Thursday (24), after Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara presented the Bills for their Second Reading.

The Supreme Court’s determination on the Bills was presented to Parliament on Tuesday (22) by Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne. The Court determined that the 22nd Amendment Bill did not require approval at a referendum and could be passed by a special two-thirds majority in Parliament.

The amendment provides for raising the mandatory retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and that of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. It also provides for the Chief Justice to retire at 67 or after completing six years in office, whichever comes earlier.

The Speaker informed Parliament that the Judicature (Amendment) Bill could be passed by a simple majority.

The SJB opposed the legislation and its MPs attended Parliament dressed in black yesterday. The party also staged a protest at Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla, under the theme “No to 22, which destroys democracy”, with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several SJB politicians participating.