Saudi Arabia drops case against Anojan Sivarasa

Thursday, 12 November 2026 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath (left) with Anojan’s parents last evening

Death sentence overturned on 14 Oct. following diplomatic interventions
Govt. expects to facilitate his return to Sri Lanka within one to two weeks

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announced last night that the Saudi Arabian authorities have discontinued all remaining legal proceedings against Sri Lankan national Sivarasa Anojan, who was previously sentenced to death over a Facebook post, paving the way for his return to the motherland.

Addressing the media, Herath said the Saudi Public Prosecution had decided on 9 November not to proceed further with the case, effectively bringing the legal proceedings against Anojan to an end.

Anojan was sentenced to death by an appeals court in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province on 17 September 2026 over allegations linked to a Facebook post deemed offensive by Saudi authorities.

Following diplomatic and other interventions by Sri Lankan authorities, the Saudi Court overturned the death sentence on 14 October. However, other penalties remained in place, prompting the Government to continue efforts to secure the conclusion of all legal proceedings.

The latest decision by the Saudi Public Prosecution removes the remaining legal obstacles, with the Government now making arrangements for Anojan’s return. Herath said he was expected to arrive in Sri Lanka within the next one to two weeks.