# Sri Lankan citizen death sentence in Saudi Arabia > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sri-lankan-citizen-death-sentence-in-saudi-arabia > Updated: 2026-09-23T16:58:00.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2. Sivarasa Anojan, a Sri Lankan migrant worker in Saudi Arabia, is facing a death sentence following an appeal. The legal proceedings stem from social media comments regarding a dog that were deemed insulting to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad. While Anojan was initially sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of 3 million Saudi Riyals, prosecutors appealed the case under Islamic Sharia, leading to the capital punishment sentence. Sri Lankan authorities have been monitoring the situation through their embassy in Riyadh. The Sri Lankan government has indicated it will cover formal legal expenses, as Anojan is registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. A parliamentary delegation is also scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia to deliver a special letter of apology from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. International and humanitarian efforts have emerged to assist the case. Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has pledged to support humanitarian efforts to save Anojan. Additionally, Sri Lankan legal representatives have sought to coordinate with local counsel in Saudi Arabia to pursue further appeals. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-23: Mohamed Nasheed to assist in saving Sri Lankan man sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed will assist in humanitarian efforts to save Sivarasa Anojan, a Sri Lankan man sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia for social media comments. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mohamed-nasheed-to-assist-in-saving-sri-lankan-man-sentenced-to-death-in-saudi-arabia ### 2026-09-19: Sivarasa Anojan faces reported death sentence in Saudi Arabia Sri Lankan migrant Sivarasa Anojan reportedly faces a death sentence in Saudi Arabia for blasphemy charges. Sri Lankan officials and MPs are seeking diplomatic intervention to appeal the ruling. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-and-malaysia-prioritize-family-planning-and-fertility-programs --- Cite as: Sri Lankan citizen death sentence in Saudi Arabia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sri-lankan-citizen-death-sentence-in-saudi-arabia