Saturday Sep 19, 2026
Saturday Sep 19, 2026
Saturday, 19 September 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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| ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam |
ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has raised grave concerns over the reported death sentence handed down to Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa in Saudi Arabia, urging the Government to act immediately to save his life.
In a statement posted on X, Rasamanickam said he intends to raise the matter in Parliament next week, questioning the Foreign Ministry’s handling of the case and the consular accountability surrounding the appeal process.
Sivarasa was initially sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of three million Saudi Riyals over allegations of defamatory remarks against Islam, but has reportedly received a death sentence following his appeal.
Rasamanickam said the family proceeded with the appeal on the advice of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra, despite the Embassy’s own legal assessment describing the chances of success as “extremely low.”
According to Rasamanickam, the family paid nearly Rs. 2 million in legal fees into an account identified with the Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary, after being instructed to do so.
Documents from the Consular Division show the appeal was filed on 24 August, 2026, but the Ministry’s letter forwarding the appeal to the family was dated 16 September, 2026, despite repeated requests for earlier access.
The appeal, submitted to the Court of Appeal in the Eastern Region, identifies Attorney Adlan Abdullah Al Subaie as counsel. However, the family claims a different lawyer appeared in court and that they were never informed of his identity or contact details.
“Who selected and instructed the lawyer who actually appeared? How was the money disbursed? Why was the appeal not provided to the family at the relevant time?” Rasamanickam asked, adding that these circumstances raise serious questions about possible failures in the consular and diplomatic handling of the case, which he will pursue in Parliament.
Rasamanickam stressed that accountability must not delay immediate action. “The Government must urgently secure experienced independent legal representation, pursue every remaining legal remedy and clemency process, and make diplomatic representations at the highest level in Saudi Arabia,” he said, adding that every legal, consular, diplomatic and humanitarian avenue must now be used to save Sivarasa’s life, as “a Sri Lankan citizen’s life is at stake.”
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has said it remains engaged in the matter through its diplomatic network and bilateral channels with Saudi authorities, and is awaiting the formal written judgment from the competent Saudi judicial authorities, which will set out the official details and legal basis of the decision.
