The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has set aside the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra announced in a Facebook post on Wednesday (14).
Hemachandra described the decision as a major relief for Sivarasa and his family, stating that the ruling followed sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka.
According to the Deputy Minister, the Saudi Supreme Court delivered its decision on October 13, 2026, overturning the judgment that had imposed the death penalty on the Sri Lankan national.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Saudi Arabia for its cooperation and acknowledged the contributions of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic mission and the legal teams involved in the case.
The Deputy Minister also thanked 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 Sri Lankan and Saudi legal teams for their dedication.
Recently, a Sri Lankan delegation of legal experts travelled to Saudi Arabia to pursue efforts to have the death sentence imposed on Sivarasa Anojan commuted.
The delegation comprised Mohamed Faiszer Musthapha, Member of Parliament and President’s Counsel; Justice M. T. Mohamed Laffar, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah; Hafeez Azard Navavi, President’s Counsel and Additional Solicitor General at the Department of the Attorney General; K. A. Upul Indika Kumarapperuma, President’s Counsel; Farisz Fazal Abdul Hafeel Mohomed, Attorney-at-Law; and Mohamed Riyasdeen Silmy, Coordinating Secretary to MP Faiszer Musthapha.
