Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath says that Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, who was facing charges in Saudi Arabia, has been released as the Public Prosecution of Saudi Arabia has decided to discontinue the case against him.

The death sentence imposed on Sivarasa had recently been overturned by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia.  

Speaking during a press briefing today (11), the minister said that Anojan no longer has a case against him in a Saudi court and that although he currently remains in custody he is expected to be brought back to Sri Lanka within a week or two.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath said that steps would be taken to bring him back to Sri Lanka.

Family members of Anojan Sivarasa visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today and expressed their gratitude to the President, the Ministry and all government institutions and officials involved for their efforts and commitment in securing their son’s release, the ministry said in a statement.

Minister Herath said that Anojan’s release was made possible through the proper guidance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, his diplomatic intervention and the efforts of other diplomatic officials.

The Minister also acknowledged the role played by the Government and the judiciary of Saudi Arabia, the diplomatic institutions and officials of both Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka, and the team of lawyers who travelled to Saudi Arabia to assist with the matter.

On 17 September 2026, a Saudi Court of Appeal in the Eastern Region sentenced Anojan Sivarasa to death over charges relating to a Facebook post considered offensive.

Following diplomatic and other interventions, the Saudi court overturned the death sentence on 14 October 2026. However, diplomatic efforts continued to secure his release from the remaining penalties as well.

As a result of these continued efforts, the Saudi Public Prosecution Office decided on 9 November 2026 not to pursue the legal proceedings any further, the statement added.