Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Sri Lankan Worker’s Prison Injuries Disputed as Death Appeal Looms
Anojան Sivarasa is a Sri Lankan man held in a prison in Saudi Arabia.
His family says he told them someone attacked him with a sharp object.
Saudi prison officials gave a different explanation, saying another prisoner scratched him with fingernails.
Sri Lankan diplomats could not meet Anojan to check what happened, and no independent medical report has been shared.
Anojan is also facing a death sentence because of an online comment.
Sri Lanka and Saudi lawyers are working on an appeal to the country’s highest court.
The government says it expects the appeal to be filed before October 14.
His family and supporters are asking for his safety and for the facts about his injuries to be checked.
Anojան Sivarasa’s family says he reported being attacked with a sharp weapon and injured in six places on his head.
Saudi prison officials reportedly told Sri Lanka his injuries were scratches from a cellmate’s fingernails; no independent medical report has been released.
Sri Lankan diplomats visited the Dammam prison twice but were not allowed to see Anojan or inspect his injuries.
A Saudi appeals court sentenced Anojan to death on September 17 after he was initially given five years in prison and a fine over an online comment.
Sri Lankan and Saudi lawyers are preparing a Supreme Court challenge, which the government expects to file before October 14, ahead of an October 17 deadline.
- Who
- Anojան Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan migrant worker facing a death sentence in Saudi Arabia.
- What
- His family alleges he was attacked with a sharp weapon in prison, while Saudi prison authorities reportedly attribute his injuries to a cellmate’s fingernails.
- When
- The assault allegations became public on Monday; diplomats most recently visited on October 6. The government expects a Supreme Court challenge before October 14, with an October 17 deadline.
- Where
- A prison in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The cause and seriousness of Anojan’s injuries remain disputed, and Sri Lankan officials have not been allowed to examine him directly.
Family and supporters
Saudi prison authorities’ account
Cause of injuries
Family and supporters
The family says Anojan described being attacked with a sharp weapon and suffering injuries to six places on his head.
Saudi prison authorities’ account
Saudi prison authorities reportedly said a fight with a cellmate caused injuries from fingernails, with no weapon used.
Verification of his condition
Family and supporters
The family and supporters seek confirmation of what happened and protection for Anojan.
Saudi prison authorities’ account
Sri Lankan officials have relayed the prison authorities’ account, but were not permitted to examine Anojan themselves; the account has not been independently verified.
- Prisoner
- Anojան Sivarasa, a Tamil from Natpiddimunai near Kalmunai, Sri Lanka
- Family’s account
- He reportedly said he was attacked with a sharp weapon and injured in six places on his head
- Saudi prison account
- The reported explanation was that a cellmate’s fingernails caused his injuries
- Diplomatic access
- Sri Lankan embassy officials visited twice, most recently on October 6, but were not permitted to meet him
- Death sentence
- Issued by an appeals court on September 17
- Initial sentence
- Five years in prison and a fine of three million Saudi riyals, described as roughly $800,000
- Appeal timing
- The government expects a Supreme Court challenge before October 14; the stated deadline is October 17
- Independent verification
- No independent medical assessment or public prison doctor’s report has been provided