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The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh said in a statement that Ambassador O. L. Ameer Ajwad visited Anojan Sivarasa at Dammam Central Prison on October 26 2026 following the Saudi Supreme Court’s decision to set aside the death sentence imposed on the Sri Lankan national. The ambassador held discussions with Sivarasa regarding available consular and legal assistance ahead of forthcoming court proceedings. He focused on ensuring the detainee was adequately briefed on the judicial process and understood the legal steps that lie ahead. Ambassador Ajwad was accompanied by the embassy’s First Secretary for Consular Affairs Vindana Munasinghe and interpreter Sahul Hameed during the visit.
According to the embassy statement the ambassador also met with prison authorities and expressed appreciation for their continued cooperation with the Sri Lankan mission as well as their attention to Sivarasa’s welfare throughout his detention. The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia set aside the death penalty on October 13 and referred the matter for a fresh hearing a development announced by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra. Hemachandra credited sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by the Sri Lankan government for the outcome in a social media post.
Ada Derana reported that Sivarasa a 27-year-old migrant worker from Sri Lanka became embroiled in an online argument on June 28 2026 during which he posted a comment deemed insulting to the Prophet Muhammad before deleting it and issuing an apology video. A lower court convicted him of a cybercrime and sentenced him to five years in prison along with a fine of three million Saudi riyals on July 28. The Court of Appeal later overturned that ruling in September and imposed a death sentence under Hadd provisions of Islamic law prompting an urgent appeal coordinated by Sri Lankan and Saudi legal teams.
The appeal was filed with the Saudi Supreme Court on October 11 according to Ada Derana after several rounds of discussions between a special Sri Lankan legal team that included President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha and Additional Solicitor General Azad Nawawi. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake welcomed the Supreme Court ruling in a statement carried by Ada Derana saying it brought immense relief to Sivarasa his family and Sri Lankans who had followed the case. The president pledged that the government would continue providing all necessary support to Sivarasa and his family as the remaining legal processes conclude.
Tamil Guardian noted that it remains unclear whether Sivarasa must serve the original five-year sentence or if his conviction has been overturned entirely following the Supreme Court action. The case has highlighted the situation of Sri Lankan workers in Saudi Arabia where Times Online figures show the current number of skilled and semi-skilled expatriates stands at approximately 180 000. Sri Lankan authorities have maintained close engagement with Saudi officials throughout the process to safeguard the rights of their citizens facing legal challenges abroad.
