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Sri Lankan death row inmate in Saudi Arabia faces serious injuries, family claims

The family of Sivarasa Anojan, a Sri Lankan national facing execution in Saudi Arabia, has alleged he sustained significant injuries from an attack in prison, contradicting official accounts of the incident. Diplomatic access to the prisoner remains restricted.

LSN Sri Lanka · 10 October 2026

The family of Sivarasa Anojan has raised serious concerns about the welfare of the Sri Lankan migrant worker, who is currently on death row in Saudi Arabia. According to family members, Anojan was attacked with a sharp weapon while detained at Dammam Prison, resulting in injuries that pose a threat to his life. The allegations directly contradict statements from Saudi prison authorities, who have characterized the injuries as minor fingernail scratches. Representatives from the Sri Lankan High Commission have reportedly been denied access to visit the prisoner, preventing independent verification of his condition. The case has heightened concerns among Sri Lankan families with relatives in Saudi custody, particularly regarding the transparency of the Saudi justice system and conditions in its detention facilities.