Wednesday, June 22, 2011

One parent pardons Rizana

By Sumaiya Rizvi

One parent of the dead Saudi infant had pardoned her however both parents had to pardon if she were to be acquitted, Minister of foreign employment promotion and welfare Dilan Perera said yesterday at a press conference.

Sri Lankan housemaid Rizana is in death row in Saudi Arabia for the death of an infant. Her execution had been suspended by the king and her fate is now in the hands of the dead infant’s parents. Both parents had to pardon if she were to be released.

Minister Foreign Employment Minister Dilan Perera said that if she were pardoned the Lankan Government was willing to pay the blood money in exchange for her release and repatriation.

“We are working to help release her but I don’t want to talk about it as it might upset the victim’s family,” he added.

“We should not anger the Saudi Arabian public by protesting since they can protest against the suspended sentence on Rizana,” he said.

The Minister said the Ministry was willing to look after the welfare of Rizana’s family however their only need was the safe return of their daughter.

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