Anojan Sivarasa, the 24-year-old Sri Lankan Hindu migrant worker sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia over a Facebook comment, has reportedly been injured in a physical altercation with a fellow inmate. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath informed Parliament that prison authorities had confirmed scratches and fingernail injuries to Anojan’s face, even as Sri Lankan Embassy officials were not permitted to meet him personally during their visit to the prison, as reported in Newswire Lanka.
The incident comes as Anojan’s family awaits developments in his death penalty case, with the Sri Lankan government preparing an appeal before Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court. The deadline to file the appeal is October 17.
Fellow Inmate Allegedly Attacked Anojan in Prison
According to information provided by Saudi prison authorities to Sri Lankan Embassy officials, an argument between Anojan and another inmate sharing his cell escalated into a physical altercation.
Herath told Parliament that Sri Lankan Embassy officials visited the prison on October 6 to inquire into reports that Anojan had been assaulted. They met the prison’s head and a prison doctor, who reportedly informed them that Anojan had sustained scratches and fingernail injuries to his face.
Saudi authorities told the Sri Lankan officials that no knife, sharp instrument or other weapon had been used in the altercation. They also reportedly assured the officials that there was no identified threat to Anojan’s life and that measures had been taken to ensure his safety. Anojan has since been transferred to another cell.
However, Sri Lankan Embassy officials were not permitted to meet Anojan personally during the visit. The information about his injuries was provided by Saudi prison authorities, rather than verified through a direct examination by Sri Lankan representatives.
Herath urged caution over claims by Anojan’s family that he had suffered more serious injuries, saying the government was relying on information officially provided by Saudi authorities.
Sivarasa Anojan in Saudi death row was attacked in his cell admits Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath quoting embassy officials who apparently visited the victim on October 6.
“An argument between Mr Sivarasa & another detainee in the same cell had developed into a fight” https://t.co/u0Orf8bYxu— LankaFiles (@lankafiles) October 7, 2026
Sri Lanka Preparing Supreme Court Appeal Against Death Sentence
Alongside the prison incident, the Sri Lankan government is stepping up its legal efforts to secure relief for Anojan.
Herath said a legal team was currently in Saudi Arabia preparing an appeal before the country’s Supreme Court. Sri Lankan legal experts are working with Saudi legal advisers and a Saudi law firm to complete the filing before the October 17 deadline.
The Foreign Ministry, Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and Attorney General’s Department are coordinating the legal and consular assistance being provided to Anojan.
The minister also said diplomatic efforts seeking clemency or a reduction of the sentence were expected to follow the conclusion of the judicial process. According to Herath, Saudi authorities had indicated that they would not support diplomatic intervention while the case remained before the Supreme Court.
How a Facebook Dispute Escalated Into a Death Sentence
Anojan’s case began with a social media dispute in Sri Lanka following the circulation of a video showing a Muslim man kicking a dog as Hindu pilgrims passed.
During the ensuing online exchanges, a Facebook user identified as Nafeesa M Mafas posted a derogatory comment about Lord Shiva and the Shivalingam in Tamil, mocking Hindu religious worship.
Anojan responded with a comment threatening to behead Prophet Muhammad if he had him in his hands. He subsequently deleted the comment and reportedly posted an apology video.
However, screenshots of the exchange were circulated by Sri Lankan Muslims and sent to the company where Anojan worked in Saudi Arabia. His employer then alerted Saudi authorities.
Anojan was arrested on 1 July 2026. The Al-Ahsa Criminal Court initially sentenced him to five years in prison and imposed a fine of three million Saudi riyals. On 17 September 2026, the appellate court increased his punishment to death after prosecutors sought to have him prosecuted under Sharia law rather than the country’s cybercrime legislation.
His case has since triggered appeals for clemency from political leaders, religious figures and civil society groups in Sri Lanka. His family has also sought the intervention of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
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