Sri Lanka is sending a five-member delegation to Saudi Arabia on Monday to explore legal avenues to appeal the death sentence of citizen Sivarasa Anojan.

Anojan was sentenced to death by an appellate court in Al-Ahsa province for blasphemy over a comment he made on Facebook. He was first sentenced in July 2025 to five years in prison and a 3 million riyal fine. Anojan said he deleted the comment within minutes and issued a public apology.

Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry is waiting for the written judgment before deciding next steps. Options include an appeal to Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court.

Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra said the government is doing everything possible to secure Anojan’s release. The delegation will meet Saudi officials to discuss the case.

The delegation includes officials from the foreign ministry and legal experts. Sri Lanka has been raising Anojan’s case through diplomatic channels for months. The ministry said it will consider all options, including a clemency plea, after studying the written judgment. Family members have asked the government to do everything possible to save him.