President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday wrote to King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud seeking clemency for Sri Lankan maid Rizana Nafeek.

Rizana was convicted and is facing execution as an outcome of the case related to the death of an infant entrusted to her care.
A three-member panel of judges from the Dawathmy High Court headed by Chief Justice Abdullah Al-Rosaimi sentenced her to death.

The court heard that Nafeek killed the child after she was asked to bottle-feed him by the sponsor’s wife. She was then sentenced a death penalty of beheading according to the Saudi Arabian High Court.

Her family has appealed against the verdict and the Saudi Supreme Court has rejected the appeal against the death sentence.

The Sri Lanka authorities, as well as several well-wishers have been involved in observing the case and facilitating her in coping with her legal issues.

The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement issued today said that Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia maintain excellent bilateral relations.

"Both countries have approached matters of bilateral and international concern with sensitivity, understanding and flexibility in the past. These sentiments continue to characterize the growing ties between the two countries," the External Affairs statement said.