Sri Lanka is stepping up diplomatic efforts to prevent the execution of 24-year-old migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, who was sentenced to death after a social media post deemed offensive to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.

The Sri Lankan government is intensifying diplomatic efforts to save 24-year-old migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, who is facing execution in Saudi Arabia following a controversial social media post deemed offensive to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.

Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan national working in Saudi Arabia, was initially sentenced to five years in prison and fined three million Saudi riyals by the Al-Ahsa Criminal Court.

However, the case took a dramatic turn on September 17 after prosecutors appealed the ruling and sought to have Sivarasa tried under Sharia law rather than the kingdom's cybercrime legislation. The appeal ultimately resulted in a death sentence.

According to sources familiar with the case, the incident stemmed from an argument on Facebook. Sivarasa reportedly responded to derogatory comments about a Hindu deity by posting an insulting remark about the Prophet Muhammad.

He later deleted the comment and apologised for his actions.

Sivarasa was arrested in July after the comment was captured and reported to his employer and Saudi authorities.

His family has since been left increasingly distressed over his situation. Relatives reportedly have not heard from him since September 28, raising further concerns about his wellbeing and the status of his case.

His mother has appealed for urgent intervention to prevent her son from being executed and to secure his release or a reduction of his sentence.

The Sri Lankan government is now pursuing diplomatic channels with Saudi authorities as it seeks a humanitarian resolution to the case.

The case has also drawn attention to the risks migrant workers can face under strict laws governing speech, religion and online activity in Saudi Arabia, where comments considered blasphemous or insulting to Islam can carry severe penalties.

Sri Lankan authorities are expected to continue discussions with their Saudi counterparts in an effort to secure clemency for Sivarasa and bring an end to the uncertainty surrounding his fate.