• Five-year prison term also set aside
• Case to return to original court for rehearing
• Govt thanks Saudi Arabia, diplomats and legal teams
• President: ‘No Lankan migrant worker should stand alone’
• Govt assures continued support to Anojan and family

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has set aside the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, marking a significant development in Sri Lanka’s diplomatic and legal efforts to secure a favourable outcome in his case, the Government announced yesterday (14).

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra announced the decision following an appeal pursued with the involvement of a Sri Lankan legal delegation that travelled to Saudi Arabia. However, the ruling does not mean that Sivarasa has been released from prison or that the case has concluded. The matter is expected to return to the original court for further proceedings.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, MP Mohamed Faiszer Musthapha, who was part of the delegation, said the original court would rehear the case. He said the Saudi court’s decision had set aside both the death sentence and the five-year prison term imposed on Sivarasa, who hails from Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province and was employed in Saudi Arabia.

Musthapha said Sivarasa had been sentenced under Sharia law rather than cybercrime legislation.

Musthapha travelled to Saudi Arabia with Justice M T Mohamed Laffar, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah; Hafeez Azard Navavi, President’s Counsel and Additional Solicitor General of the Attorney General’s Department; K A Upul Indika Kumarapperuma, President’s Counsel; Farisz Fazal Abdul Hafeel Mohomed, Attorney-at-Law; and Mohamed Riyasdeen Silmy, Coordinating Secretary to MP Musthapha.

Musthapha credited the outcome to the collective efforts of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the Sri Lankan delegation and the Saudi legal team. He also expressed appreciation to the Saudi Government for its role in the development.

Deputy Minister Hemachandra described the decision on social media as a major relief for Sivarasa and his family, saying it followed sustained diplomatic engagement and coordinated legal efforts. He also expressed the Government’s appreciation to Saudi Arabia and acknowledged the collective efforts of Sri Lankan authorities.

Sivarasa had been sentenced to death by a Saudi appellate court in a case reportedly linked to allegations of blasphemy arising from a comment he posted on Facebook.

The Sri Lankan delegation had met Saudi legal representatives to discuss the case and establish the appropriate procedures for appealing before the Supreme Court. Musthapha said the discussions focused on ensuring that the appeal was prepared and submitted in accordance with Saudi Arabian law.

Minister of Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa had previously said that diplomatic efforts were under way to seek a reduction in the sentence imposed on Sivarasa.

The development drew reactions from Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Mano Ganesan and Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, who expressed relief over the decision on social media.

Ganesan described the setting aside of the death sentence as a tremendous relief for the country. He said the Government had fulfilled its responsibility while political parties, civil society and the public had united in hope and prayer, transcending political divisions. He described the response as an example of national unity, with the country speaking with one voice.

Social media users from India, Pakistan and other countries in the region also called on the Sri Lankan, Indian and Saudi Arabian governments to intervene and secure Sivarasa’s release from prison.

President Dissanayake welcomed the Saudi Supreme Court’s decision, saying it brought relief to Sivarasa, his family and Sri Lankans who had followed the case with concern.

In a social media statement, the President said the outcome highlighted the importance of patient diplomacy, respect for the legal processes of a friendly nation and the efforts of those who supported a Sri Lankan citizen abroad.

He expressed appreciation to the Saudi Government and thanked Saudi and Sri Lankan diplomats, civil servants and legal teams for their dedicated efforts. He also assured that the Government would continue to provide all necessary support to Sivarasa and his family as the remaining legal proceedings continued.

“No Sri Lankan who leaves our shores in search of a livelihood should ever feel that they stand alone,” the President said.