Sivarasa Anojan’s sentence was reportedly raised from five years in prison to capital punishment after an appeal; Sri Lanka is pursuing diplomatic and legal avenues
A Sri Lankan Tamil migrant worker facing a death sentence in Saudi Arabia has prompted calls for intervention from India, as his family and political groups seek clemency and legal relief.
Sivarasa Anojan, a 24-year-old from Natpittimunai in Kalmunai, travelled to Saudi Arabia for employment in September 2025. He was arrested in July after a Facebook post that Saudi authorities deemed insulting to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.
An Al-Ahsa criminal court initially sentenced Anojan to five years in prison and imposed a fine of three million Saudi riyals. His electronic device was also ordered to be confiscated and his social media account closed, according to Sri Lankan authorities.
Following an appeal, the Saudi prosecution sought an enhanced punishment. An appellate court subsequently imposed a death sentence on September 17, according to Sri Lankan officials. The country’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament that the written judgment was received on September 20 and reviewed with Saudi and local legal experts.
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Sri Lanka is pursuing diplomatic, consular and legal options, while its embassy in Riyadh remains in contact with Anojan and his family
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The government has also indicated that further legal avenues are being examined and that it will seek a pardon or reduction of the sentence
The case has also drawn attention in India. Hindu Munnani submitted a petition to the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Chennai seeking intervention and urged the Indian government to assist in efforts to prevent the execution.
Earlier, Sri Lankan opposition MP Mano Ganesan had appealed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to seek Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assistance, citing India’s diplomatic relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Tamil and Muslim MPs in Sri Lanka have jointly appealed to Saudi authorities for royal clemency, adding to growing efforts to secure relief for Anojan.
