Saudi Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence for Sri Lankan Engineer
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has set aside the death penalty for a Sri Lankan migrant worker accused of blasphemy following intense diplomatic efforts.
POLICY WIRE — Colombo, Sri Lanka — The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has officially overturned the death sentence previously handed down to a Sri Lankan migrant worker. The legal reversal, confirmed on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, follows a period of intense diplomatic and legal advocacy by the Sri Lankan government.
The 24-year-old engineer, identified as Anojan Sivarasa, originally from the Ampara district, faced the capital punishment charge following a Facebook post that authorities deemed blasphemous. Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra described the court’s decision as a significant relief for the worker and his family.
Legal representative Upul Kumarapperuma, a President’s Counsel who traveled to Riyadh as part of the government’s delegation, noted that the case has been remanded to the original lower court. A new hearing is anticipated within two weeks, where a revised sentence is expected to be determined.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his support for the outcome, emphasizing the importance of patient diplomacy and the protection of citizens working abroad. The President stated that the development brings immense relief to the family and underscores the government’s commitment to standing by its nationals.
The controversy originated in June 2026 during an online dispute regarding a video of a man attacking a dog. Sivarasa was initially sentenced to five years in prison for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad, but the Saudi Court of Appeal in the Eastern Region escalated the penalty to death in September.
The case drew widespread condemnation from civil society groups and international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch highlighted that Saudi Arabia executed at least 356 individuals in 2025, marking a record high for the nation.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
