Saudi Arabian authorities have decided to discontinue all legal proceedings against Sri Lankan national Sivarasa Anojan, who was previously sentenced to death over a Facebook post, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed.
According to the Foreign Minister, Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution decided on November 9, 2026, not to proceed with the case, clearing Anojan of the remaining legal proceedings against him.
Anojan was sentenced to death by a Saudi appeals court in the Eastern Province on September 17, 2026, over allegations linked to a Facebook post considered offensive by Saudi authorities.
Following diplomatic and other interventions, the Saudi court overturned his death sentence on October 14, 2026. However, other penalties remained in place, prompting Sri Lankan authorities to continue diplomatic efforts to secure his complete release.
The latest decision by the Saudi Public Prosecution brings the remaining legal proceedings to an end, paving the way for Anojan’s return to Sri Lanka.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said the government would take the necessary steps to bring Anojan back to Sri Lanka. He is expected to return within the next one to two weeks.
Meanwhile, Anojan’s family members visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today and expressed their gratitude to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Foreign Ministry and all state institutions and officials involved in securing his release.
Minister Herath attributed the outcome to the guidance of President Dissanayake, diplomatic interventions by the Foreign Ministry and the efforts of other officials.
He also thanked the Saudi Arabian government, its judiciary, Saudi and Sri Lankan diplomatic officials, and the team of lawyers who travelled to Saudi Arabia to assist with the case. (Newswire)
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