Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia over a Facebook post, has been cleared of the case and will return home, the government said.

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said all necessary arrangements would be made for Anojan’s return after his release from all legal proceedings and penalties in Saudi Arabia.

Herath said the release was made possible through the guidance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, diplomatic interventions by the Foreign Ministry and the cooperation of the Saudi Arabian government and judiciary. He also acknowledged the efforts of diplomatic missions and officials of both countries, as well as the legal team that travelled to Saudi Arabia to assist in the case.

Anojan’s relatives visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday to thank the President, the Foreign Ministry and the other state institutions and officials who helped to secure his release.

The Government of Sri Lanka also welcomed the formal closure of the case by the Public Prosecution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and expressed its appreciation to Saudi Arabia.

Background

A Saudi Arabian appellate court in the Eastern Province sentenced Anojan to death on 17 September 2026 over charges relating to a Facebook post that the court considered offensive. After diplomatic and other interventions, the court overturned the death sentence on 14 October.

Further diplomatic efforts were then made to secure his release from the remaining penalties and legal proceedings. On 9 November, the Saudi Arabian Public Prosecution decided not to pursue the case further, which cleared the way for his complete release.

Saudi Arabia is one of the main destinations for Sri Lankans who work abroad, and the Foreign Ministry, which also covers foreign employment, handles consular assistance for Sri Lankan nationals who face legal proceedings overseas.

What it means

The case is a reminder that Sri Lankans who live, work or travel abroad are subject to the laws of the country they are in, including rules on online speech, which can differ widely from those at home. Penalties for the same conduct can be far more severe than many people expect.

Sri Lankans who face legal trouble overseas can seek consular help from the nearest Sri Lankan diplomatic mission. In this case, the minister said the legal team that travelled to Saudi Arabia and the work of the missions were part of the effort that led to the outcome.

Anojan’s return date has not yet been announced.