Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra has announced on social media that the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has set aside the judgment imposing the death penalty on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, yesterday (13).

In a statement posted on Facebook, Hemachandra described the development as “a major relief for Anojan Sivarasa” and said it followed sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka.

He also expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia for its cooperation, as well as to Sri Lanka’s Ambassador, the Secretary and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman and members of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and the Sri Lankan and Saudi legal teams for their dedicated efforts.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed that the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has set aside the death sentence imposed on Anojan Sivarasa on 13 October 2026, marking a significant breakthrough in Sri Lanka’s sustained diplomatic and legal efforts to secure a favourable outcome in his case.

Issuing a statement, the ministry said that this decision brings immense relief to Anojan Sivarasa and his family and represents an important development following continued engagement and coordinated efforts by the relevant authorities and legal teams.

“The Government of Sri Lanka expresses its sincere appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia, the Secretary and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Chairman and members of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and the Sri Lankan and Saudi legal teams for their dedicated efforts in achieving this outcome,” it said.

A Sri Lankan delegation comprising legal experts travelled to Saudi Arabia and held discussions with the relevant authorities regarding the commutation of the death sentence imposed on Anojan.

The delegation comprised the following members:

• Mohamed Faiszer Musthapha, Member of Parliament and President’s Counsel;

   

• Justice M.T. Mohamed Laffar, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah;

   

• Hafeez Azard Navavi, PC, Additional Solicitor General of the Department of the Attorney General;

   

• K.A. Upul Indika Kumarapperuma, President’s Counsel;

   

• Farisz Fazal Abdul Hafeel Mohomed, Attorney-at-Law; and

   

• Mohamed Riyasdeen Silmy, Coordinating Secretary to MP Faiszer Musthapha.

Anojan was sentenced to death by a Saudi appellate court, with the ruling reportedly linked to allegations of blasphemy arising from a comment he posted on Facebook.

During their visit, the delegation met with lawyers in Saudi Arabia to discuss the case and determine the appropriate legal procedures for filing an appeal before the Saudi Supreme Court.

MP Faiszer Musthapha stated that discussions were held with local legal representatives to ensure that the appeal was prepared and submitted in accordance with Saudi Arabian law.

Meanwhile, Minister of Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa recently stated that diplomatic efforts were also underway to seek a reduction in the sentence imposed on Anojan.

The migrant worker was initially sentenced to five years in prison as well as a fine of three million Saudi riyals by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court over a comment he made on Facebook during an argument. 

Although he promptly deleted the comment and posted an apology video, a screenshot of it was brought to the attention of his employer and Saudi officials, leading to his arrest in July. 

The case sent shockwaves through Sri Lanka, initiating frantic diplomatic efforts to seek clemency.