Govt monitors reported Saudi death sentence – Foreign Ministry

The Sri Lankan government is closely monitoring the case of Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan national currently facing a judicial process in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Sivarasa is being tried for allegedly making defamatory statements against Islam. An Embassy source confirmed to the Ministry that Sivarasa’s lawyer notified them that the sentence against his client has been increased to capital punishment.

The Embassy awaits formal written judgment to learn the official details and legal justification for the decision. The Ministry confirmed that the matter was discussed with the Chargé d’Affaires of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Colombo. The Sri Lankan government expressed deep concern regarding the increased sentence and the issues faced by Sivarasa’s family.

His lawyer assured the Embassy that an appeal can be made to Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court within one month. Therefore, the Sri Lankan Embassy, in coordination with the Foreign Ministry, is taking necessary actions to appeal the decision within the given timeframe, working closely with Sivarasa’s relatives. Earlier, Sivarasa received a five-year prison sentence and a fine of three million Saudi Riyals.

He submitted an appeal on August 25, 2026, to the appellate court in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region. The Ministry noted that the government is continually involved in the matter through its diplomatic channels and bilateral talks with Saudi authorities, while providing consular support to Sivarasa and his family. The government affirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation while respecting the judicial procedures and Arabic laws.