COLOMBO, Dec 7: The King of Saudi Arabia has suspended the death sentence handed down to a young Sri Lankan maid, Rizana Nafeek, for killing the child of her Saudi employer, according to the Lankan minister for Foreign Employment, Dilan Perera.

The minister told the media here on Tuesday that the king suspended the death sentence following an appeal for clemency from President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

However, this does not mean that Rizana will not be executed, as the king has not pardoned her but only suspended the sentence by a court.

As per Saudi law, only the father of the dead infant could grant her pardon, Minister Perera explained.

And he could agree to do so if blood money was paid. The minister said that the Lankan government was ready to pay the blood money.