Demonstrations opposite Saudi embassy counter - productive - Governor

Disna MUDALIGE

"Organizing protests opposite the Saudi Arabian Embassy can be counter- productive to the efforts made by the government to release Rizana Nafeek since those may aggravate the anger of the Saudi Arabian parents of the deceased infant," Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana told the Daily News yesterday.

He said that protests opposite the embassy are futile since the Saudi Arabian government, King or any member of Arabian administration cannot influence Rizana's release.

"Pardon can only be granted by the Saudi parents of the deceased child according to Shariia law. Therefore we must be careful not to offend them further," he said. The governor also noted that the protest organized opposite the Saudi Arabian embassy was a short sighted move aimed at gaining popularity. He stressed that the government on the directive of the President, has taken measures to send a special delegation to take every possible action to save Rizana by holding direct discussions with the Saudi parents including the paying of a compensation as blood money.