A Sri Lankan opposition lawmaker has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to seek Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention in the case of a young Sri Lankan Tamil accused of blasphemy in Saudi Arabia. Mano Ganesan, a leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance, cited Modi’s ‘close ties’ with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his appeal on X. The case involves Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan national from the Eastern Province, who is facing judicial proceedings in Saudi Arabia.

Sivarasa’s family claims he was sentenced to death over a social media post deemed blasphemous. However, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not confirmed the death sentence, stating it remains engaged with Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels. The ministry said it is taking steps to safeguard Sivarasa’s interests and provide him with all possible assistance. The Sri Lankan embassy in Riyadh is awaiting a formal written judgment from Saudi judicial authorities before confirming the sentence.

According to reports, Sivarasa was initially sentenced to five years in prison and fined three million Saudi riyals after being found guilty of posting content deemed insulting to a religion. His lawyer later verbally informed the embassy that the sentence had reportedly been enhanced to capital punishment. The lawyer also mentioned that the judgment could be appealed before Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court within one month. The embassy, in consultation with the ministry, is taking steps to pursue the appeal in coordination with Sivarasa’s family.

Sri Lankan Tamils, who make up around 12-13% of the country’s population, are mainly concentrated in the Northern and Eastern provinces. The case has drawn attention due to the potential severity of the sentence and the involvement of high-profile diplomatic figures. However, no official confirmation of the death sentence has been provided by Saudi authorities, and the embassy has not yet received the formal judgment.

The case highlights the complexities of international legal proceedings and the role of diplomatic channels in such matters. The Sri Lankan government has emphasized its commitment to supporting its citizens abroad, but the exact nature of the legal proceedings and the potential outcome remain uncertain. Further developments are expected as the case progresses through the Saudi judicial system.