Even as 24-year-old Sri Lankan Hindu migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa faces the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, social media posts are now being circulated by Sri Lankan Muslims mocking his fate, claiming that he would return to Sri Lanka in two boxes—one containing his head and the other his body.
The remarks in the video on social media mock the prospect of his execution rather than expressing concern over the fate of a migrant worker facing capital punishment.
The controversy comes amid an escalating legal battle over a Facebook exchange that began with a derogatory comment about Lord Shiva.
Srilankan Muslims Laughing and mocking at Anojan’s Death penalty
They saying: He will return to srilanka in Two boxes one with his Head and one with his Body nu 🤬 https://t.co/0xqPjRY1V5
— Iniyan (@Iniyanspeaks) October 7, 2026
From an Anti-Shiva Jibe to a Death Sentence
In late June 2026, a video circulated online showing a Muslim man kicking a dog as Hindu pilgrims passed. The footage triggered heated exchanges between social media users in Sri Lanka.
During the ensuing argument, 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 targeting Prophet Muhammad, stating that if he had the Prophet in his hands, he would have cut off his head.
He subsequently deleted the comment and reportedly posted an apology video.
However, screenshots of the exchange were circulated and sent to the company where Anojan worked in Saudi Arabia. His employer subsequently alerted Saudi authorities.
According to Anojan’s brother, Hamsidan Sivarasa, individuals in Sri Lanka contacted the company about the post.
“People in Saudi Arabia knew nothing about this matter. It was individuals in Sri Lanka who sent emails to the company where my brother worked. I do not even wish to mention who those people are,” Hamsidan told BBC Sinhala.
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, following an appeal by prosecutors seeking prosecution under Sharia law rather than cybercrime legislation, the appellate court increased the punishment to death.
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