Anojan Sivarasa Released from Custody in Saudi Arabia, Says Foreign Minister

Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, who had been facing charges before a court in Saudi Arabia, has been released, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath has announced.

The Minister said the government would take the necessary steps to bring Sivarasa back to Sri Lanka.

Sivarasa’s family members visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today and expressed their gratitude to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Ministry and all other government institutions and officials involved in securing his release.

Minister Herath said Sivarasa’s release had been made possible through the guidance of President Dissanayake, diplomatic intervention by the Minister and the efforts of other relevant officials.

He also acknowledged the role played by the Government of Saudi Arabia, its judiciary, diplomatic institutions and officials from both countries, as well as the team of lawyers who travelled to Saudi Arabia to assist with the case.

Death Sentence Over Facebook Post Overturned

According to the Minister, on September 17, 2026, an appellate court in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province sentenced 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 October 14.

However, efforts continued to secure his release from the remaining penalties imposed on him.

Those efforts resulted in his eventual release. The Saudi Public Prosecution Office had decided on November 9, 2026, not to pursue the court proceedings any further.

The government is now expected to take steps to facilitate Sivarasa’s return to Sri Lanka.