Prince Charles pleads for Rizana

by Leon Berenger
Courtesy: Sunday Times

(October 31, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian)
Britain’s Prince of Wales, heir to the throne is to appeal to the Saudi King, seeking clemency for the Sri Lankan housemaid, Rizana Nafeek who was sentenced to death for the alleged murder of her employer’s child, a senior official of the External Affairs Ministry said yesterday.

The official said Prince Charles was in contact with Saudi Arabia’s ruling Royal family. A spokesperson at Buckingham Palace told the Sunday Times on the telephone, “I can neither confirm, nor deny the report. We are not supposed to comment on Royal affairs.”

The External Affairs Ministry official said the Prince of Wales had been keenly following the case of Rizana Nafeek.

British High Commission spokesman Dominic Williams also said the mission was not sanctioned to comment on Royal matters. “We represent the British Government and not the Royal family,” he said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier this week also wrote to Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud seeking a pardon for the house maid. Tell a Friend