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Saudi Govt. commutes SL maid’s sentence

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23 December 2015 11:33 am - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Government of Saudi Arabia had decided not to carry out the death sentence on the Sri Lankan housemaid who was to be stoned to death for adultery, and to imprison her instead, said Acting Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva at a media briefing at the Foreign Affairs Ministry today.

“The appeal filed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Foreign Employment Ministry for sympathetic consideration in respect of the accused was taken up yesterday by the Saudi Arabian Al Dawadmi court. We are pleased to announce that the efforts made by our government were a success. Instead of being stoned to death, she will be imprisoned for some years. The exact number of years has not yet been notified,” he said.

Speaking to the media, Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorala said it was a national achievement that the life of the Sri Lankan woman was saved by the efforts of our government.

“This woman was the first Sri Lankan migrant worker who was sentenced to be to stoned to death. We are grateful to the Saudi Arabian government for listening to us. The Sri Lankan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Azmi Thassim coordinated with us to provide legal counsel and consular assistance in order to assist in the appeal process,” she said.

She said that it took some time to clear the case since they had to respect the Saudi Arabian laws and judiciary. Most probably, the woman's term of imprisonment will be limited to three years, she said. (Piyumi Fonseka)

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  Comments - 16

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  • Aruna Wednesday, 23 December 2015 05:54 PM

    Whatever the news article incumbent government is definitely not strong enough to rescue her from the vicious sentence!

    WISE MAN Wednesday, 23 December 2015 05:57 PM

    All credit to the Saudi Ambassador and responsible officials to have not antagonised the Saudi officials and change the previous verdict on diplomatic grounds.

    Shan Wednesday, 23 December 2015 06:10 PM

    I thank God for this news, pray that she would be sent to SL

    BUSHEL Wednesday, 23 December 2015 06:35 PM

    Saving her from a brutal death is good news. Every body can heave a sigh of relief ..

    mithra Wednesday, 23 December 2015 07:58 PM

    Idiot,Saudi is not a colony of Sri Lanka to heed to 100% of our request

    Mohamed Farook Khan Wednesday, 23 December 2015 08:16 PM

    There is nothing to thank The Saudi,who ever is born will die,but if this is carried out saudis are all over in the world may reflect on them

    Sincere Wednesday, 23 December 2015 08:20 PM

    At last they have realized that there is no one so holy there to stone others!

    Jagath Wednesday, 23 December 2015 09:49 PM

    They have realized, what said Jesus Cristhus. Good news for the Christmas. Thanks to the government who interfere.

    Premalal Thursday, 24 December 2015 06:21 AM

    The minister would have said "let the man without sin cast the first stone "

    Andrew Pitugala Thursday, 24 December 2015 06:37 AM

    Remember what happened to the underage maid under the previous regime ??

    Cobra Thursday, 24 December 2015 06:58 AM

    Great news for Christmas for all of us Sri Lankans but a certain disappointment to Dinesh and Co!!!

    Ramola Thursday, 24 December 2015 08:21 AM

    Good news. But the fact still remains that our women who work in the ME are treated like slaves. The sri lankan govt must respect its women and ban sending them to these countries where true compassion, love and kindness is hard to find.

    citizen a Thursday, 24 December 2015 11:40 AM

    Why blame the government for everything,how about their husbands and family.

    Maheshjayaa Thursday, 24 December 2015 11:59 AM

    As per the article published in Arab Newa, she is already completed two year jail terms and one more year to go !

    Siraj Thursday, 24 December 2015 03:34 PM

    I have no clue why people have put Christmas for this news, it is great because a live is saved, does not matter which day of the year it is...then some not understand what she has done and talking about holyness, she has commited adultary meaning she slept with some other man besides her husband, so nothing holy about that though i am glad she has been pardoned...and the best thing we can do is not sending them to middle east rather critizising the governments for carring out their rule of land.

    pth Thursday, 24 December 2015 04:00 PM

    Certainly good news for all of us, the government did an excellent job till last moment. This however, our maids should realized every countries apart have different low, this applicable every individual who committing crime or violating the state of lows. I hope this is a good message for all those maids working in Middle East.


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