A four-member Sri Lankan legal delegation will travel to Saudi Arabia this week to meet the defence lawyers of Anojan Sivarasa, a 24-year-old migrant worker sentenced to death over a Facebook comment.
President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma, a member of the team, said two Saudi law firms are handling the case and the delegation will discuss next steps with them.
An appellate court found Mr Sivarasa guilty of blasphemy on 17 September, after prosecutors successfully asked for him to be tried under Sharia law rather than cybercrime legislation. He had earlier received a five-year prison term and a fine of 3 million Saudi riyals from the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court, according to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
The Foreign Ministry said it is taking all available steps to assist him. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told the family on 21 September that the government would seek a general pardon.
His brother, Hamsidan Sivarasa, said the family has had no news since 28 September. Saudi authorities have not announced an execution date.
Buddhist and Hindu religious leaders have also asked the government to intervene urgently.