Sri Lanka Seeks Reprieve for Anojan Sivarasa as Appeal Against Saudi Death Sentence Moves Forward
October 10, Colombo (LNW): A Sri Lankan legal delegation is preparing to challenge the death sentence imposed on Anojan Sivarasa in Saudi Arabia, with an appeal seeking to have the punishment commuted due to be submitted to the Saudi Supreme Court today.
The latest legal effort comes amid growing concern in Sri Lanka over the case, with legal representatives pursuing available avenues to prevent the execution of the Sri Lankan national and secure a more favourable outcome.
An official delegation comprising Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel Asad Navavi, together with President’s Counsels Upul Kumarapperuma and Faiszer Musthapha, travelled to Saudi Arabia on 6 October to engage with local legal professionals and examine the options available under the country’s judicial system.
The delegation has held discussions with Saudi law firms to coordinate the appeal and determine the most appropriate legal strategy. Further consultations took place yesterday as preparations continued for the submission to the Supreme Court.
Should the appeal fail to secure a reduction in the sentence, the Sri Lankan side is expected to pursue a further avenue by submitting a petition to the King of Saudi Arabia, seeking clemency for Sivarasa.
The case has also attracted the attention of religious leaders in Sri Lanka. The Chief Prelates of the Ramanya Maha Nikaya and the Amarapura Maha Nikaya recently presented a memorandum to the President, urging the Government to intervene and take appropriate measures to obtain Sivarasa’s release.
Their appeal reflects mounting calls for diplomatic and legal efforts to be pursued in parallel, as authorities seek a possible resolution to a case that has caused considerable concern among those following the plight of the Sri Lankan worker.
Sivarasa, who hails from Natpiddimunai in Kalmunai, travelled to Saudi Arabia approximately nine months ago to take up employment. His legal troubles reportedly stem from a statement he published on social media, which led to proceedings before the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court.
The court initially sentenced him to five years in prison and imposed a fine of three million Saudi Riyals. However, the case took a dramatic turn after his legal team challenged the original ruling and Saudi legal authorities submitted a counter-request to the court.
Following consideration of the respective submissions, the court subsequently imposed the death penalty, significantly raising the stakes for Sivarasa and his family.
The forthcoming appeal is now a crucial step in the effort to overturn or commute the sentence. If the judicial process does not deliver the desired result, the planned petition to the Saudi monarch could provide another opportunity to seek clemency.
For Sri Lanka, the case presents a pressing challenge involving the protection of a citizen facing the most severe criminal punishment abroad. The outcome of the appeal and any subsequent clemency request will therefore be closely watched as efforts continue to secure a reprieve for Sivarasa.
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