Diplomatic and legal efforts bring relief to Anojan Sivarasa’s family, but return to Sri Lanka remains pending
By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lanka has secured a significant breakthrough in its efforts to save the life of engineer Anojan Sivarasa, after the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia set aside the death sentence imposed on him, bringing relief to his family and those who campaigned for his release.
Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra announced on Wednesday (14) that the Saudi Supreme Court had overturned the judgment imposing the death penalty, following sustained diplomatic engagement and legal interventions by the Sri Lankan Government.
The decision marks a major development in Sivarasa’s case, which had prompted concerted efforts involving Sri Lankan diplomatic officials, lawyers, political leaders and other stakeholders to prevent his execution.
However, questions remain about his legal status following the ruling and the procedures that must be completed before he can return to Sri Lanka.
Diplomatic and legal intervention
According to diplomatic sources quoted by local media, an appeal challenging the Saudi Court of Appeal’s ruling of September 21 was filed before the Saudi Supreme Court on October 11. The Supreme Court communicated its decision to set aside the judgment on October 13.
Following the Court of Appeal ruling, the Sri Lankan Government, led by the President and Foreign Minister, intensified diplomatic and legal efforts to challenge the death sentence.
A special Sri Lankan legal delegation comprising Additional Solicitor General Azad Navavi, President’s Counsel Faizer Mustapha, President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma and attorney Hafeel Farisz travelled to Riyadh to pursue the appeal.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Amir Ajwad, also engaged extensively with Saudi authorities, working alongside the legal team and embassy officials to support the efforts.
Hemachandra expressed appreciation to the Saudi Government for its cooperation, while also acknowledging the contributions of the Sri Lankan Ambassador, Foreign Ministry officials, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) and the Sri Lankan and Saudi legal teams.
The Foreign Ministry similarly recognised the efforts of those involved in securing the reversal of the death sentence.
Political leaders welcome decision
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa welcomed the ruling, expressing gratitude to the Saudi Government and everyone who contributed to the efforts to save Sivarasa’s life.
Premadasa said he was extremely pleased that the engineer’s life had been spared, describing the decision as a source of immense relief.
He acknowledged the contributions of the legal team, particularly President’s Counsel Mustapha and President’s Counsel Kumarapperuma, as well as the Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka and others who had supported the campaign.
The Opposition Leader also said he and his team had made every possible effort to protect Sivarasa’s right to life.
He extended his appreciation to the Saudi Supreme Court and the King of Saudi Arabia following the decision.
Meanwhile, Opposition MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam welcomed the development, describing it as a moment of immense relief and renewed hope for Sivarasa’s family and those who had worked to secure a favourable outcome.
In a statement posted on X, Rasamanickam attributed the development to the collective efforts of governments, diplomatic representatives, legal professionals, political and religious leaders, civil society organisations and concerned citizens around the world.
However, he stressed that the efforts would not be complete until Sivarasa was safely returned to Sri Lanka.
He called on the Sri Lankan and Saudi authorities to continue their diplomatic engagement to facilitate his return as soon as possible, subject to the completion of the necessary legal procedures.
Relief tempered by uncertainty
While the reversal of the death sentence represents a crucial breakthrough, the announcement has not yet clarified Sivarasa’s final legal status or the next steps in the proceedings.
Rasamanickam emphasised that Sivarasa’s safe return and reunion with his family should remain the priority, adding that the occasion for celebration would come when he was back in Sri Lanka.
The case has also revived painful memories of Sri Lankan migrant worker Rizana Nafeek, who was executed in Saudi Arabia in 2013 despite sustained efforts to secure clemency.
Nafeek’s execution remains a stark reminder of the challenges involved in securing favourable outcomes in capital punishment cases abroad and the importance of timely diplomatic and legal intervention.
For Sivarasa’s family, the Saudi Supreme Court’s decision offers a significant reprieve after the uncertainty surrounding his fate. Yet, until the remaining legal procedures are completed and his return is secured, the process remains unfinished.
The immediate priority for Sri Lankan authorities is therefore to establish the implications of the ruling, pursue the necessary follow-up procedures and work towards bringing Sivarasa home safely.
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