A major legal battle has come to an end in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Public Prosecution has formally closed the case against Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, and the Government of Sri Lanka has welcomed the decision.
This outcome follows key legal steps, starting when the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia set aside his previous death sentence on October 13, 2026. The court had sent the case back for further proceedings, and following fresh investigations by the Public Prosecution, the matter was closed for good. With this, all previous sentences against him are no longer in effect.
Minister meets family as return plans continue
On November 11, 2026, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, met with Sivarasa's family. He explained the outcome of the case and shared details regarding ongoing efforts to bring him back to Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan government conveyed its gratitude to Saudi authorities for their cooperation. Officials also highlighted the crucial role played by Sri Lankan legal experts who visited Riyadh, alongside diplomatic efforts carried out by the Sri Lankan Embassy.
What happens next
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is continuing to coordinate with Saudi authorities to finalize administrative formalities for Anojan Sivarasa's early repatriation.
