 |  "Govt. appealed to HE the King of Saudi Arabia seeking mercy" |
A number of human rights activist and organizations have urged the Sri lankan Government to take prompt action to secure the release of the four Sri Lankans who are currently facing death sentences in Saudi Arabia. E. J. V. Corea, D.D. Ranjith de Silva and Sanath Pushpakumara, have been convicted of theft and currently being detained at Al Nayad Prison, in Riyadh. Deputy Foreign Minister Vishwa Warnapala confirmed to Sandeshaya that the government has appealed to Mayor of Riyadh and His Excellency the King of Saudi Arabia seeking mercy and pardon on behalf of the three Sri Lankans. The Hon –Kong based Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has issued an appeal urging sympathisers to take further interest in this matter by writing to His Excellency the King of Saudi Arabia seeking his intervention to commute the death sentences passed. Meanwhile film star Ranjan Ramanayaka, who has played a prominent role in safeguarding immigrant worker rights of the Middle East, said that the government has not done enough to help. Reportedly the convicts have not been able to defend themselves properly in a court of law. | 
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