RIYADH: The Sri Lankan Embassy received on Saturday the medical report regarding the Sri Lankan housemaid who was found with 24 nails and needles embedded in her legs, arms, hands and forehead, allegedly pushed into her body by the Saudi couple she worked for as a method of punishment.
A video statement from the victim translated into Arabic language was also handed over to the Saudi Embassy in Colombo for necessary action.
“We have the report regarding L.T. Ariyawathi, a 49-year-old domestic aide who came to Riyadh in March for employment under a Saudi sponsor,” an embassy official told Arab News, adding that this would facilitate the mission to take up the case with the Foreign Affairs Ministry here requesting action against the employer.
Although the mission knows the details of the Saudi sponsor, the official said it is not protocol to contact him directly. Arab News tried to contact the sponsor but did not get a response.
“All our actions will be channeled through the Saudi Foreign Ministry,” he said.
Doctors in Sri Lanka removed on Friday 13 nails and five needles from the maid’s body. Six needles in her hands reportedly could not be removed because the procedure would damage nerves and arteries.
Condemning it as a inhumane act on an innocent worker, Kingsley Ranawaka, chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), said that the Saudi authorities should wake up regarding such human rights violations. Full Story >>