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Sri Lanka Parliament raises concern over maid on death row in Saudi

Xinhua, December 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

Sri Lanka's Parliament on Monday raised concern over the decision by Saudi Arabia to stone to death a Sri Lankan maid found guilty of committing adultery.

Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Atukorale said that her Ministry and the Foreign Ministry are in touch with the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia to seek clemency for the maid.

The Sri Lankan government was urged to ban sending maids to Saudi Arabia but Atukorale told Parliament no such decision has been taken yet.

Ruling United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake said that the issue over the Sri Lankan maid is very sensitive as she had committed adultery.

He said that unlike in a previous case where a Sri Lankan maid, Rizana Nafeek, was executed over allegations she killed a child in her care, the latest incident could harm the life of the woman even if she is freed and sent back to Sri Lanka.

Ramanayake said the government must look at the incident very carefully while the media should also ensure they do not expose her identity.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, in a letter to the King of Saudi Arabia, said it is deeply grieved and is reaching out to the King on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka for clemency for the housemaid sentenced to death by stoning for the serious crime of adultery while the other respondent, a Sri Lankan male migrant worker, is to receive 100 lashes.

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka presumes that the housemaid sentenced to death by stoning and the male worker who would face lashing were unaware of the law and cultural practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Endit