The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has set aside the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Arun Hemachandra announced in a Facebook post yesterday (14).
Hemachandra described the ruling as a major relief for Sivarasa and his family, attributing the outcome to sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka.
The Saudi Supreme Court delivered its decision on October 13, 2026, overturning the earlier judgment that had sentenced the Sri Lankan national to death, the Deputy Minister said.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia for its cooperation throughout the process and acknowledged the contributions of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic mission and the legal teams involved in the case.
Hemachandra also thanked Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 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 dedication in pursuing the matter.
Recently, a Sri Lankan delegation of legal experts travelled to Saudi Arabia to pursue efforts to secure the commutation of the death sentence imposed on Sivarasa.
The delegation comprised MP and President’s Counsel Mohamed Faiszer Musthapha; Justice M.T. Mohamed Laffar, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah; Additional Solicitor General Hafeez Azard Navavi, PC, of the Department of the Attorney General; President’s Counsel K.A. Upul Indika Kumarapperuma; Attorney-at-Law Farisz Fazal Abdul Hafeel Mohomed; and Mohamed Riyasdeen Silmy, Coordinating Secretary to MP Musthapha.
The ruling marks a significant development in the case, following the diplomatic engagement and legal representations made on behalf of the Sri Lankan national.