Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, who previously faced the death penalty in Saudi Arabia over a Facebook post deemed offensive, has been released following diplomatic and legal interventions, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announced.

Herath said arrangements would be made to bring Sivarasa back to Sri Lanka following the decision by Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution Office on 9 November 2026 not to pursue further legal proceedings against him.

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

However, the Saudi court overturned the death sentence on 14 October 2026 following diplomatic and other interventions. Efforts subsequently continued to secure his release from the remaining penalties.

According to Herath, Sivarasa’s release followed diplomatic efforts undertaken under the guidance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, alongside interventions by Sri Lankan and Saudi Arabian officials.

The minister also acknowledged the cooperation of the Saudi Arabian Government and judiciary, diplomatic representatives from both countries and a team of lawyers who travelled to Saudi Arabia to assist with the case.