Saudi Arabia: Sri Lankan delegation to seek appeal in Anojan death sentence case

A five-member Sri Lankan delegation is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia on October 6 to explore legal avenues to appeal the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Sivarasa Anojan, 24.

The delegation will include Parliamentarian and Attorney-at-Law Faiszer Musthapha, President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma, and an official from the Attorney General’s Department, along with two other representatives.

Anojan was sentenced to death by a Saudi appellate court, with the ruling reportedly linked to allegations of blasphemy over a comment he posted on Facebook.

The delegation is expected to meet with lawyers in Saudi Arabia to discuss the case and determine the appropriate legal procedure for filing an appeal before the Saudi Supreme Court.

MP Faiszer Musthapha said discussions will be held with local legal representatives to ensure that the appeal is prepared and submitted in accordance with Saudi Arabian law.

Meanwhile, Minister of Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa recently said that diplomatic-level efforts are also underway to seek a reduction of the sentence imposed on Anojan.

Anojan was sentenced on July 15, 2026 by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court to five years' imprisonment and a fine of three million Saudi riyals over a Facebook comment deemed derogatory towards Islam. After an appeal on his behalf was rejected, the Saudi prosecution appealed in turn, and the sentence was increased to death. He reportedly deleted the comment and apologised.