President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has welcomed a decision by Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court to set aside the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, saying it brings immense relief to him, his family and all Sri Lankans who followed the case with deep concern.

The court set aside the judgment on October 13, and Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra announced the decision on Wednesday (14).

In a post on X, the President said the outcome reflected the value of patient diplomacy, respect for the legal processes of a friendly nation and the tireless work of those who stood by a Sri Lankan citizen abroad.

He thanked the Government of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi and Sri Lankan diplomats, civil servants and legal teams involved.

He said his Government would continue to give Sivarasa and his family all necessary support as the remaining legal processes conclude, and that no Sri Lankan who leaves the country in search of a livelihood should ever feel alone.

Sivarasa, 24, is from Natpittimunai in Kalmunai in the Eastern Province and went to Saudi Arabia in September 2025 to work as a technical engineer at a battery factory.

He was arrested on July 1 over a Facebook comment judged insulting to the Prophet Muhammad, which he reportedly posted during an online dispute that followed an incident at a Hindu pilgrimage in Sri Lanka.

His family says he deleted the comment and posted an apology video, but a screenshot reached his employer and the Saudi authorities.

The Al-Ahsa Criminal Court first sentenced him to five years in prison and fined him three million Saudi riyals.

On September 17, after prosecutors asked for the case to be tried under Sharia law instead of cybercrime legislation, an appellate court raised the sentence to death.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said an earlier appeal seeking a reduction had been rejected.

Amnesty International called on Saudi Arabia to quash the sentence, overturn the conviction and release him, saying the case raised alarming concerns about the use of the death penalty for online expression.

The President met Sivarasa’s family on September 21 and assured them the Government would spare no effort.

A Sri Lankan legal team was sent to Riyadh to work with two Saudi law firms on a special appeal before the Supreme Court.

However, it remains unclear whether the original five-year prison term and fine still apply, or whether Sivarasa will be released.

The Bribery Commission has revealed new details of an alleged financial irregularity involving former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, claiming that Rs. 10 million belonging to the National Savings Bank (NSB) was transferred to the Siriliya Saviya account under the pretext of purchasing a CT scanner for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital in Colombo.

According to court reports, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, appearing for the Bribery Commission, made several allegations before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on October 13 as investigations into the matter continued.

The court was informed that a fundraising initiative had been launched through a project called Carlton Suwa Udana, purportedly to purchase a CT scanner for the children’s hospital.

Investigators said letters seeking financial contributions had been sent to several institutions, including the National Savings Bank, Seylan Bank and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation.

The letters initially indicated that Rs. 140 million was required to purchase the equipment, although the amount was subsequently revised verbally to Rs. 50 million.

The prosecution said the NSB board had approved a Rs. 10 million contribution following a request from the former First Lady.

However, investigators alleged that the money was not deposited into an account belonging to Carlton Suwa Udana.

Instead, the funds were transferred to the Siriliya Saviya account maintained at the People’s Bank branch in Suduwella, Maradana.

CT scanner donated by China
The Bribery Commission also raised questions about the actual source of the CT scanner eventually provided to Lady Ridgeway Hospital.

According to the prosecution, the Chinese government had supplied the medical equipment to the hospital.

However, investigators alleged that Shiranthi Rajapaksa subsequently presented the scanner to the hospital in a manner suggesting that it had been donated by her organization.

The court was informed that the presentation took place on the birthday of one of her sons.

Investigators also recorded statements from two doctors who had worked at Lady Ridgeway Hospital during the relevant period.

According to the prosecution, both doctors stated that the hospital had never requested a CT scanner from the Siriliya Saviya organization.

The Bribery Commission further alleged that Siriliya Saviya had not been properly registered as a nongovernmental organization.

Investigators claimed that the organization had failed to submit the required financial statements and annual reports.

The court was also informed that letters requesting donations had been issued using official letterheads bearing the state emblem.

The prosecution alleged that the organization had also used the address and telephone numbers of the Presidential Secretariat for its activities.

Additional Solicitor General Peiris questioned why a nongovernmental organization would use the Presidential Secretariat’s contact details and official state symbols when seeking financial contributions.

He alleged that these measures were intended to exert influence on state institutions.

More arrests possible

The prosecution informed the court that investigations into the alleged financial irregularities were continuing and that additional suspects were expected to be arrested.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division and the Bribery Commission.

The prosecution opposed granting bail to Shiranthi Rajapaksa, citing the ongoing investigation.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered that the former First Lady remain in remand custody until October 16.

Source:Newswire