MEDIA RELEASE

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ We refer to some media releases regarding the death row maid in the United Arab Emirates who was freed before Ramadan based on the goodwill and the good office and magnanimity of the Rulers and the judiciary in the UAE.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Mrs. Abdul Kareem was convicted asƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  a result of killing her sponsorƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s wife with a blunt weapon.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  During the period she was imprisoned the Sri Lankan Embassy staff periodically visited her and the other inmates.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Recently His Excellency the Ambassador in UAE Mr. Sarath Wijesinghe too visited the prisons to see the conditions and details of inmates.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lankan Embassy made representation to His Highness ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of InteriorƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  seeking for leniency and clemency in addition to other representations.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  We are also grateful to the legal system in this country offering legal aid to victims.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Fortunately legal aid was granted to her if not the cost of litigation is so much that the EmbassyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  nor the victim will not be able to bear the cost.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  There is a happy ending that she is now with the family.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  We are very concerned about the media reports which are misleading and undermining the services of the Sri Lankan Embassy in this difficult and arduous operation. The Sri Lankan Muslim Community in Abudhabi contributed nominal amount to her.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The entire operation of release was jointly operated by the current Ambassador, previous Ambassadors, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, Ministry of External Affairs in Sri Lanka and also other interested parties.