{
  "id": 12262201,
  "title": "GL urges cautious handling of Saudi death row case, blasts govt. over BRICS affair",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/gl-urges-cautious-handling-of-saudi-death-row-case-blasts-govt-over",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T00:04:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/gl-urges-cautious-handling-of-saudi-death-row-case-blasts-govt-over-brics-affair/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris cautioned the government and others to exercise caution when making representations regarding Sivarasa Anojan, who faces the death sentence in Saudi Arabia over a controversial social media post. Speaking at a press conference at former President Ranil Wickremesinghe's office, Prof. Peiris warned against direct representations by political party leaders, MPs, and civil society to Saudi authorities or via phone. He stressed that Sri Lanka must consider the Saudi governance and sensitivities while addressing the case.\n\nProf. Peiris also questioned Sri Lanka's exclusion from the recent BRICS summit held in New Delhi. He recalled former President Wickremesinghe's discussions with Russian President Putin about Sri Lanka's entry into BRICS, but the invitation was subsequently ignored due to the change of government in September 2024. Prof. Peiris criticized the government for sending the Foreign Secretary to the BRICS Summit in Russia instead of a higher-ranking official like the President, PM, or Foreign Minister.\n\nHe pointed out that Sri Lanka missed an opportunity to benefit from BRICS by failing to represent the country at the higher level in Russia. The BRICS nations established the New Development Bank (NDB) during this summit. Prof. Peiris dismissed the NPP government's explanation about Iranian ships facing restrictions due to US sanctions, stating that the current government's response was equally unacceptable when the US sank an unarmed Iranian frigate near Sri Lankan waters in March.",
  "summary": "Convenor of Janathawadi Joint Opposition, Prof. G. L. Peiris, yesterday (05) emphasised the responsibility on the part of the government and others to act cautiously when making representations in respect of Sivarasa Anojan facing death sentence in Saudi Arabia over a controversial social media post. Addressing the media at former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Flower Road […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Former External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris urges cautious handling of Saudi death row case",
    "Sri Lanka excluded from recent BRICS summit in New Delhi",
    "Government criticized for sending Foreign Secretary to BRICS instead of higher-ranking official"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}