A spokesman for the Sri Lankan embassy in Saudi Arabia said that it has requested legal assistance from the Sri Lankan foreign employment bureau (SLFEB) in order to appeal on behalf of Rizana Nasik, from Muttur.

Labour Secretary K B G Premadasa speaking to BBC Sandeshaya from Riyadh said that the maid was convicted of strangling a four months old infant.

"The High Court in Daw Admi has sentenced to behead her" he said.

maid 17 years old

19 year old Rizana Nasik "had committed the crime in February 2005 when she was 17 years old," courts was told.

In January Saudi Arabia beheaded four Sri Lankans despite protests from international human rights organisations.

Minister of foreign employment Keheliya Rambukwella responded by saying, " those who go to work in foreign countries should abide by the law of the nation".

Labour to the Middle East is a major contributor towards Sri Lanka's foreign income.