Colombo, Oct. 15 (Daily Mirror) - The death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa in Saudi Arabia has been removed following a decision by the Saudi Supreme Court to review the verdict issued by the Court of Appeal, Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra said on Tuesday.
The decision follows efforts by the Sri Lankan Government to pursue legal remedies for Sivarasa through diplomatic engagement, consular assistance and cooperation between Sri Lankan and Saudi legal professionals. The case had raised serious concerns after a five-year prison sentence imposed on him in connection with a social media publication was followed by a death sentence from the Court of Appeal.
According to Hemachandra, the Saudi Supreme Court decided to review the death penalty verdict on October 13, leading to the removal of the sentence imposed under the earlier ruling.
The Sri Lankan Government had pursued the matter through several channels, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath, providing guidance to the efforts. The case was taken up through diplomatic, consular and legal avenues, with Sri Lankan officials engaging with the relevant Saudi authorities.
Diplomatic efforts to address the case
Anojan Sivarasa, 27, was sentenced to death in September after a Saudi appellate court convicted him of blasphemy against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad over his comment.
In late June, footage of a young Muslim man kicking a dog following Hindu pilgrims circulated widely on social media, triggering religious arguments online.
During the exchange, a user posted derogatory remarks about a Hindu deity, leading Sivarasa to respond in Tamil, insulting the Prophet Muhammad.
Although Sivarasa 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 required coordination between government officials, Sivarasa’s family and legal representatives familiar with the Saudi judicial system. According to Hemachandra, the family, together with the President and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held discussions with Saudi authorities as efforts continued to seek a legal remedy.
The Sri Lankan authorities pursued the matter through established diplomatic channels while legal professionals examined the options available under Saudi law. The aim was to ensure that the case received attention through the relevant procedures and that the available legal remedies were explored.
Sri Lankan and Saudi lawyers work together
A special Sri Lankan legal team worked alongside Saudi legal experts to pursue the case. The cooperation brought together legal professionals familiar with the circumstances of the Sri Lankan national and those with knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s legal system.
The legal team that travelled to Saudi Arabia comprised President’s Counsel Azad Navavi, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha, Upul Kumarapperuma, and Attorney-at-Law Hafeel Farisz.
Seeking a review of a court decision in another country can involve procedures that are unfamiliar to the individual concerned and their family. Local legal expertise is therefore important in determining the appropriate steps, preparing submissions and ensuring that the relevant requirements are met.
The team met representatives of two Saudi law firms retained by the Foreign Ministry to handle the case, and discussed the appeal before the Saudi Supreme Court, at meetings scheduled for 7 and 8 October. The delegation then finalised the documents for the appeal and met Saudi officials.
In Sivarasa’s case, the legal efforts formed part of a broader response involving diplomatic engagement and government support. The Supreme Court’s decision to review the Court of Appeal verdict was followed by the removal of the death sentence, according to the Deputy Foreign Minister.
The precise legal implications of the ruling, including whether further proceedings or other penalties remain, depend on the terms of the court’s decision and the applicable procedures under Saudi law. The removal of the death sentence does not, by itself, establish that all legal proceedings have concluded.
Government to cover legal expenses
The Sri Lankan Government also decided to bear the legal expenses associated with the case and reimburse Sivarasa’s family for legal costs already incurred, Hemachandra said.
Legal proceedings overseas can place a heavy financial burden on families, particularly when they need to engage lawyers in a country where legal services may be expensive or unfamiliar. The costs can increase when a case requires further hearings, appeals or specialised legal advice.
For migrant workers’ families, meeting such expenses may be particularly difficult if their main source of income is the relative working abroad. The uncertainty surrounding a serious legal case can also make it challenging for families to plan their finances and maintain contact with legal representatives.
Following the development, Hemachandra expressed gratitude to the Government of Saudi Arabia for its cooperation in advancing the case and conveyed Sri Lanka’s respect for the Saudi judicial system.
He also thanked Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and officials of the embassy, the Secretary and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and the Ministry of Justice for their contributions to the efforts.
The case involved several institutions with different responsibilities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sri Lankan diplomatic representatives engage with foreign authorities and provide consular assistance to citizens overseas. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment works on matters relating to the welfare of Sri Lankan migrant workers, while legal professionals address the procedures available under the relevant legal system.
