The legal team representing Anojan Sivarasa, who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, has reportedly completed the appeal to be filed before the country’s Supreme Court.
The appeal is expected to be filed shortly.
Sivarasa was sentenced to death by a Saudi Arabian Court of Appeal over allegations that he had posted comments on social media deemed insulting to Islam.
However, a lower court had earlier sentenced him to five years in prison.
That ruling was reportedly overturned by the Saudi Court of Appeal following an appeal filed by the Saudi public prosecutor.
Anojan’s Mother Appeals for Help
Anojan’s mother, Rasamanickam Yogalakshmi, recently appealed to the Sri Lankan Government, religious leaders and civil society organisations to help save her eldest son, who is facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.
“If my son has done something wrong, we apologise for it. We ask that he be pardoned and handed back to us,” his mother said tearfully.
The Sri Lankan Government, politicians, religious leaders and several civil society organisations are currently making efforts to secure relief for Sivarasa from the death sentence.
Following the trial over allegations of insulting Islam, Anojan had initially been sentenced to five years in prison and fined three million Saudi riyals.
However, following an appeal against that sentence, the punishment previously imposed on him was replaced with the death penalty.
Sivarasa Anojan, a 27-year-old resident of Kalmunai, had travelled to Saudi Arabia for employment on 4 September 2025.
He was accused of committing a religious offence through a comment he posted on Facebook on 27 July. Following the allegation, he was arrested by Saudi police and later produced before court.
Sri Lankan Ambassador Visits Anojan in Prison
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, O.L. Ameer Ajwad, has reportedly visited Anojan Sivarasa at the Dammam Central Prison to inquire into his condition and welfare.
The prison is located about 450 kilometres from the capital, Riyadh.
During the visit, the Ambassador met Sivarasa and inquired into his current condition and welfare.
The Sri Lankan Embassy said in a statement that the Ambassador had held an extensive discussion with Anojan during the visit, paying particular attention to his needs and the difficulties he is currently facing.
The Ambassador also reportedly reaffirmed that, under the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Embassy remained committed to providing Anojan with all necessary consular and legal assistance.
He had also provided Anojan with his personal contact details to facilitate direct communication in the future.
Following the meeting, the Embassy reportedly confirmed that Anojan was in good health and that Saudi prison authorities were paying proper attention to his welfare.
The Ambassador also met the Director of Dammam Central Prison and the prison doctor and expressed appreciation for the assistance being provided regarding Anojan Sivarasa’s health and wellbeing.
