Sivarasa Anojan Saudi case enters a critical stage as Faizer Mustapha outlines an appeal and diplomatic path seeking to save his life.
Could Sri Lanka Face Another Rizana Tragedy?
The Sivarasa Anojan Saudi case has renewed serious debate over the legal protection available to Sri Lankan migrant workers. Anojan, a young Sri Lankan from the Nattpittimune area of Kalmunai, was arrested in Saudi Arabia under its cybercrime law. He has since reportedly received a death sentence following an appeal.
The case originated from an incident involving an attack on a street dog named “Subramani,” which joined the 2024 Kataragama Pada Yatra. The allegation against Anojan concerns his intervention in a Facebook discussion in Sri Lanka about that incident. He allegedly posted a comment considered insulting to Islam.
According to the account, Anojan deleted the statement after realising his mistake and publicly apologised. However, screenshots of the comment had already circulated online.
Rs. 24 Crore Fine and a Devastating Appeal
On July 28, the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court sentenced Anojan to five years in prison. The court also imposed a fine of three million Saudi Riyals, approximately Rs. 24 crore.
Saudi legal advice reportedly assessed the chances of succeeding through an appeal as “extremely low.” Nevertheless, Anojan’s relatives reportedly decided to appeal following advice from Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Arun Hemachandra.
The appeal reopened the case. According to the article, the Court of Appeal subsequently went beyond the original cybercrime punishment and reportedly imposed the death penalty, exercising judicial discretion in relation to religious insult.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry has not yet received the formal written judgment. Ministry sources say the Embassy was verbally informed by Anojan’s lawyer that the sentence had reportedly been increased to capital punishment.
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Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has raised serious questions about how the Foreign Ministry handled the process.
According to Rasamanickam, Anojan’s father paid Rs. 1,890,766 in legal fees into an account identified with the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Court documents reportedly name lawyer “Adlan Abdullah Al-Subai.” However, the family claims that another lawyer appeared in court.
Rasamanickam has also questioned why the family received the appeal documents so late. Documents reportedly show that the appeal was filed on August 24. The Ministry’s letter forwarding it to the family was dated September 16.
Those circumstances have prompted Rasamanickam to question the selection of legal counsel, payment of fees and consular oversight.
Sivarasa Anojan Saudi Case and Faizer’s Proposed Path
At this critical stage, Parliamentarian and President’s Counsel Faizer Mustapha has outlined legal and diplomatic measures aimed at saving Anojan’s life.
The first priority, according to the article, is obtaining the official written judgment and filing an appeal before the Saudi Supreme Court within 30 days. Foreign Ministry sources have separately said Anojan’s lawyer advised that an appeal could be filed within one month.
Beyond the legal process, the article identifies a “Royal Pardon” as the most important diplomatic option. Mustapha’s argument is that Anojan’s decision to correct his mistake and publicly apologise, described as Tawbah or repentance, could provide grounds for seeking forgiveness under Islamic principles.
The article distinguishes the case from that of Rizana Nafeek. It describes her case as falling within the Qisas category, where the victim’s family could forgive.
It argues that the Sivarasa Anojan Saudi case instead concerns public rights and falls within the Tazir category. On that interpretation, it says clemency would rest with the Saudi King.
Meanwhile, following an emotional appeal from Anojan’s mother to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Sri Lankan Government says diplomatic engagement is underway. The Foreign Ministry says it remains engaged with Saudi authorities while respecting the country’s judicial process.
Rs. 14 Billion Fund and Questions for the SLBFE
The article recalls the Rizana Nafeek case, arguing that language barriers and inadequate legal advice contributed to the tragedy surrounding her case.
It also questions why Anojan’s family had to personally spend about Rs. 1.8 million when the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment reportedly holds a fund worth Rs. 14 billion.
The case, the article argues, demonstrates the need for a formal legal aid fund providing international legal assistance to Sri Lankan workers facing serious proceedings overseas. It also calls for practical education on Middle Eastern cyber laws before workers leave Sri Lanka.
While respecting Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and laws, Sri Lanka now faces an urgent responsibility to pursue every available legal and diplomatic avenue for its citizen.
With the formal judgment still awaited, the next steps could prove critical. The article argues that the speed of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic response and humanitarian engagement at the highest level could now determine the outcome.
