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Sri Lanka recalls ambassador to Saudi Arabia

The Sri Lankan government has recalled their ambassador to Saudi Arabia in response to the execution of a maid, convicted of murdering her employer’s baby.

Karunatilake Amunugama, secretary of the External Affairs Ministry, told Reuters,

"(This is) to show our displeasure for not hearing the government's appeal to save Rizana Nafeek,"

"He (the envoy) has been recalled with immediate effect."

Saudi Arabia was one of the 15 countries to vote against the March 2012 United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka, joining others such as Cuba, China and Russia. The country was also a source of crude oil for Sri Lanka as their main supplier Iran faced tightening sanctions.

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