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24-Sep-2026

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Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Minister Vijitha Herath said that steps were being taken to send a delegation comprising both Government and Opposition MPs, led by the Deputy Speaker, to Saudi Arabia to hand over to the Saudi King a letter from the President requesting a pardon for Anojan Sivarasa, who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.

He also said that steps were being taken to send a special delegation representing the President.

The Minister urged all parties to act responsibly, taking into consideration the sensitive nature of the matter, and to refrain from actions that could adversely affect diplomatic efforts.

He made these remarks while delivering a statement by the Ministry in Parliament on Tuesday, 22 September.

He said Anojan Sivarasa was born on 20 December 1999 and was a resident of Narpittimunai, Kalmunai. He had travelled to Saudi Arabia on 4 September 2025 for employment and had worked for Venice Arabia.

According to the Minister, a post published by Anojan on Facebook had subsequently affected his employment. His family had therefore made a written request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 1 July seeking assistance to bring him back to Sri Lanka.

On the same day, on the advice of the Ministry, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh had sought clarification from the company where Anojan worked regarding his situation. The Embassy had also requested the company to assist in bringing him back to Sri Lanka at the earliest opportunity.

However, on 2 July, the company's human resources manager informed the Embassy that Anojan had been arrested by Saudi police.

According to verbal information provided by the company, the Embassy was informed that Anojan had violated Saudi Arabia's cybercrime laws through a religiously sensitive comment posted on social media and that the matter involved an allegation of blasphemy.

Subsequently, on 26 July, the case was heard through online technology before a three-member criminal court. The court was located approximately 350 kilometres from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh.

According to the judgment delivered by the court, Anojan Sivarasa was convicted under Saudi Arabia's cybercrime law. However, he was not convicted of the blasphemy charge referred to in the prosecution's case.

The Saudi public prosecutor had sought the death penalty under Sharia law, arguing that the matter was not merely a cybercrime. However, the trial court did not accept that submission and imposed a sentence under the cybercrime law.

Accordingly, Anojan was sentenced to five years' imprisonment and fined three million Saudi riyals. The court also ordered the confiscation of the relevant electronic device and the closure of the social media account concerned.

It was reported that during the investigation and trial, Anojan had made statements regarding his conduct and had admitted his mistake.

Following the judgment, on 30 July, Embassy officials took steps to send certified copies of the judgment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the same day, Embassy officials visited the prison where Anojan was being detained. They were not permitted to meet him personally and were able to communicate with him only by telephone. During the conversation, he requested the Embassy officials to facilitate an appeal against the judgment.

Following this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed his family of the details of the judgment. On 4 August, his father submitted a written request to the Ministry agreeing to pursue an appeal. Accordingly, facilities were provided for the appeal.

Although lawyers appointed by the Embassy filed an appeal seeking a reduction of Anojan Sivarasa's sentence, the Saudi prosecution had already filed an appeal seeking an enhancement of the sentence and punishment under Sharia law. Thus, irrespective of whether the Sri Lankan side filed an appeal, the prosecution had sought an increase in the sentence.

Following the hearing on 17 September, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was informed by the lawyer appearing for Anojan that the Saudi appellate court had increased his sentence to death. Accordingly, the appeal filed by the Saudi prosecution was allowed, while the appeal filed by the Sri Lankan side was rejected.

According to the written judgment available to the Sri Lankan authorities, the appellate court had altered the decision of the criminal court and treated the relevant conduct as an offence under Sharia law, holding it to constitute an offence involving an insult to Prophet Muhammad, and imposed the death penalty.

A special review of the death sentence is currently being undertaken. The Government is obtaining the necessary advice from legal experts in both Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka regarding all legal matters arising from the case. The judgment is also being examined.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Government continues to pursue the matter through diplomatic and legal channels. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh continues to maintain contact with Anojan and provide the necessary legal assistance.

The Embassy has also been instructed to expedite consultations with legal advisers and report on steps relating to an appeal before the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia or any other relevant court, as well as compliance with other applicable requirements.

President's Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma and President's Counsel Faizer Musthapha are also being arranged to travel to Saudi Arabia at their own expense, meet the team of lawyers handling the case and provide the necessary legal assistance.

Meanwhile, Sivaraja Anojan is registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. Therefore, the Government will bear all expenses incurred in connection with the legal proceedings being conducted in Saudi Arabia, including expenses already incurred.

The Government is also examining all appropriate diplomatic avenues available under Saudi law to obtain relief for him. The Minister said he expected to meet the Saudi Foreign Minister at the United Nations General Assembly meeting scheduled to be held next week and that steps would be taken to discuss the matter.

He said efforts would also be made to prevent the execution of the death sentence, obtain a reduction of the sentence and secure any other relief available under Saudi law.

A letter seeking a pardon is to be sent by the President to the Saudi King. The Minister also requested that a delegation comprising Government and Opposition MPs, led by the Deputy Speaker, be sent to Saudi Arabia to hand over the letter to the Saudi King, and called for the cooperation of all parties.

Steps would also be taken to send a special delegation representing the President. Necessary contact was being maintained with the Saudi Embassy in Colombo.

He added that the Sri Lankan Government was handling the matter with the utmost attention and that Anojan's family would be kept informed of the steps being taken.

The Minister called on all parties to act responsibly, taking into account the sensitive nature of the matter, and to refrain from actions that could adversely affect diplomatic efforts.