The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has set aside the death sentence previously imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, marking the successful resolution of an extensive legal and diplomatic initiative. The ruling was officially delivered by the Saudi Supreme Court on 13 October 2026, setting aside the capital judgment that had stood against the Sri Lankan citizen.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra announced the ruling, describing it as a major relief for Sivarasa and his family. Hemachandra noted that the favorable outcome resulted from sustained diplomatic and legal interventions by the Government of Sri Lanka. He formally expressed appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia for its cooperation throughout the proceedings, while also acknowledging the dedicated contributions of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic mission and legal teams.
The successful intervention followed the recent travel of a specialized Sri Lankan delegation of legal experts to Saudi Arabia to pursue the commutation of the death sentence. Hemachandra commended Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman and members of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and the combined Sri Lankan and Saudi legal teams for their steadfast commitment to the case.
Key Developments
- The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia issued its ruling on 13 October 2026, overturning the death penalty previously handed to Sivarasa Anojan.
- A specialized legal expert team travelled to Saudi Arabia to advance the commutation efforts, featuring Member of Parliament and President’s Counsel Mohamed Faiszer Musthapha; Consul General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah, Justice M.T. Mohamed Laffar; Additional Solicitor General from the Department of the Attorney General, Hafeez Azard Navavi, PC; President’s Counsel K.A. Upul Indika Kumarapperuma; Attorney-at-Law Farisz Fazal Abdul Hafeel Mohomed; and Coordinating Secretary to MP Faiszer Musthapha, Mohamed Riyasdeen Silmy.
- The case reached a breakthrough through coordinated efforts involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, the Sri Lankan Embassy, and counsel from both Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.
The coordinated push by Sri Lankan officials and legal professionals brings an end to the capital sentence against Anojan Sivarasa, concluding an intensive cross-border legal campaign.