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Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra announced that the Saudi Supreme Court had set aside the death penalty imposed on Anojan Sivarasa. Hemachandra described the October 13 ruling as a major relief for the 27-year-old and his family while crediting sustained diplomatic engagement between the two governments. The minister extended thanks to Saudi authorities along with legal teams from both nations for their cooperation throughout the process. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry separately confirmed the development as a significant breakthrough that followed weeks of coordinated action.
The case stemmed from a Facebook comment Sivarasa posted in late June during online religious arguments that erupted after a video circulated showing a Muslim man kicking a dog near Hindu pilgrims. The Sri Lankan construction worker from Kalmunai deleted the post and issued a video apology expressing remorse but was arrested in early July after screenshots reached authorities. Human Rights Watch had drawn attention to the matter as an example of the risks facing migrant workers expressing views on social media.
An Al-Ahsa criminal court initially sentenced Sivarasa to five years in prison and a fine of three million Saudi riyals under the anti-cybercrime law at the end of July. Prosecutors then appealed for the case to be tried under Sharia law for blasphemy resulting in an appellate court handing down the death penalty in September. The swift escalation prompted urgent intervention from Sri Lankan officials concerned about the precedent for its large expatriate workforce in the kingdom.
A high-level Sri Lankan delegation including senior lawyers and government representatives traveled to Riyadh to file the clemency appeal before the Supreme Court earlier this month. The team worked alongside Saudi legal counterparts to present arguments that ultimately led to the top court setting aside the capital punishment. According to multiple reports the appeal was lodged on October 11 just days before the favorable ruling emerged.
Questions remain about whether Sivarasa must still serve the original five-year term or if the full conviction has been reconsidered. Embassy officials who visited him in prison last week reported that he was in good health and receiving adequate care despite limited family contact since late September. The outcome has eased immediate concerns in Sri Lanka where the case generated widespread attention and calls for his release.
Amnesty International had publicly urged Saudi authorities to overturn the death sentence in the days leading up to the ruling while reiterating its absolute opposition to capital punishment in all circumstances. The rights group highlighted that Sivarasa was denied lawyer access during initial proceedings and that the rapid shift to a hadd punishment raised fair trial issues. Such instances continue to focus international scrutiny on blasphemy enforcement and migrant protections across the region.
