Rizana issue:

Agitation futile against complexity

'The problem of saving the life of Rizana Nafeek is complex. There is no meaning in agitating and blaming the government officials to save her from capital punishment, Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera said.

The minister made these observations at a function held to appreciate the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau Volleyball team that won the Munchee Volleyball Super League Championship.

The minister said the government has taken action to save Rizana. In response to a request by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Saudi King had suspended the death sentence imposed on Rizana.

The death sentence could be changed only with the consent of the deceased child's parents.

"It is necessary for us to make our request without hurting the Saudi authorities and the parents of the deceased child.

'The government will never give up its attempt to convince the Saudi authorities and the parents of the deceased child to get Rizana's death sentence changed.

'The government is willing to offer any amount of money if they release Rizana," Minister Dilan Perera said.