Sri Lanka seeks clemency after Saudi court sentences migrant worker to death | EconomyNext

ECONOMYNEXT — Sri Lanka is pursuing diplomatic and legal avenues after a Saudi Arabian appellate court sentenced a Sri Lankan migrant worker to death over a social media post, overturning an earlier prison sentence, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told parliament.

Anojan Sivarasa, a resident of Kalmunai who traveled to Saudi Arabia for employment in September 2025, was taken into custody on July 2, 2026, following a religiously sensitive post published on his Facebook account.

A Saudi criminal court initially sentenced him on July 27 to five years in prison, a fine of three million Saudi Riyals, the confiscation of his device, and the closure of the account under cybercrime laws.

While defense lawyers appealed to reduce the sentence, the Saudi Public Prosecutor appealed to enhance the punishment under Sharia law, Herath said.

The Court of Appeal accepted the prosecution’s appeal, ruling that the post was an offense of defaming the Prophet Muhammad.

“According to the written verdict received, the Court of Appeal, amending the decision of the Criminal Court, considered the relevant charge as an offense falling under Sharia law. Interpreting the act as an offense related to insulting and defaming the Prophet Muhammad, it imposed the death sentence,” Herath said.

The appellate court also removed the previously ordered three-million-riyal fine while upholding the closure of the social media account and the confiscation of the device.

Minister Herath said the government is preparing a further review before the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia.

All legal costs will be covered by the government as Sivarasa is a registered worker with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.

Two President’s Counsel, Upul Kumarapperuma and Faiszer Musthapha, have volunteered to travel to Saudi Arabia at their own expense to assist with the legal defense.

Alongside legal steps, Sri Lanka is launching high-level diplomatic appeals. The President of Sri Lanka will address a clemency letter to the King of Saudi Arabia, which is expected to be delivered by a multi-party parliamentary delegation led by the Deputy Speaker, accompanied by a special presidential delegation.

“The Government is exploring all appropriate diplomatic avenues available under Saudi law to secure relief on behalf of Mr. Sivarasa. I also look forward to meeting the Foreign Minister of that country next week during the United Nations General Assembly session,” Herath said.

Herath added that he will use the upcoming bilateral meeting to request that the death sentence not be carried out and to seek a pardon or sentence commutation.

He appealed to the public and all political groups to act with restraint, noting that maintaining social composure and ethnic harmony within the country is essential to support the ongoing diplomatic and legal efforts. (Colombo/Sep22/2026)