Saudi Arabia recalls its Ambassador in Colombo
Saudi Arabia has recalled its ambassador from Colombo in a tit-for-tat move amid tensions after a Sri Lankan nanny convicted of murder was beheaded in the kingdom, the official SPA news agency reported.
“Based on the decision by the Sri Lankan government to withdraw its ambassador from the kingdom, the [Saudi] foreign ministry has recalled its ambassador in Sri Lanka for consultations,” SPA reported late Tuesday quoting a ministry spokesman.
Tensions between both countries have been strained since the January 9 execution of Sri Lankan maid Rizana Nafeek, who was only 17 when she was charged with smothering a four-month-old baby in Saudi Arabia in 2005.
Nafik was found guilty of smothering the infant in her care after an argument with the child’s mother, the Saudi interior ministry said.
Last month, Sri Lanka’s Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella announced that women under 25 were now banned from going to Saudi Arabia to work as maids, adding that it was the first step towards a worldwide travel ban for low-paying jobs.
The United States and the United Nations have led international condemnation of the execution.
Rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking are all punishable by death under Saudi Arabia’s strict version of sharia, or Islamic law.
In 2012, the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom executed 76 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The US-based Human Rights Watch put the number at 69.
This year, it has so far beheaded 14 people. (AlJazeera)
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We should promptly sever all diplomatic, socio-economic ties with Saudi Arabia and recall all Sri Lankan citizens working there for the rich Arabs for a pittance.
It is time we took a stand in the international arena.
Rizana Rafeek’s beheading is totally against sacred Buddhist principles which is based on compassion. We cannot tolerate modern day barbarism practised by Muslim nations.
I agree with you Negam. We can develop this country on our own if we spend our own income in a frugal manner. But two spheres of politics and bureaucracy both are equally corrupted and inefficient. These two sphere inter depend on each other and thereby existing cheating innocent layman citizens of the country.
Very true Basanayake, in fact all houeholds are run on this principle of living (and growing) within your means. Of course, at times the breadwinner goes gambling or womanising or buying drugs with income meant for family welfare and then ther’s trouble at home. Even womenfolk at home can drift by buying unnecesariliy expensive clothes, jewellery or perfumes and that is trouble for the home budget.
So, in disciplined societies where we can use available means to the benefit of all, there will be survival, growth and prosperity.
If this principle can be practised on a national scale, there will be survival, growth and prosperity for all. If we as a nation spend resources available on vainglorious white elephant projects, tamashas and siphon money in the form of bribes, we will be sunk and indebted to the Mudalali’s who lend us money!
“Rizana Rafeek’s beheading is totally against sacred Buddhist principles which is based on compassion. We cannot tolerate modern day barbarism practised by Muslim nations.”
COMMENT: Not Only Buddhism, also Islam, as given in the Quran. The problem Saudi Arabia has is that they are NOT Muslims, because they do not follow the Quran. They follow Saudi Political Theocracy, as the Wahhabis and the Saudis have intermarried into each other for a long time. The Wahabi judges are racist and do not want to admit their errors. So the poor girl had to pay with her life.
This happens in Sri Lanka as well, and see what Muslims had to say, and you can read for yourself.
Many Muslims think the Wahhabis are a following the Satan, and the goal of Satan is to destroy the other Muslims. You see it everywhere.