Nailed Sri Lankan maid undergoes surgery to remove nails

A Sri Lankan housemaid tortured by her Saudi Arabian employer who inserted nails and needles into her body underwent surgery at the Kamburupitiya Hospital today to remove the nails.

The doctors have successfully removed 13 nails and six pins during the surgery this morning, Director of the hospital Dr. Prabath Gajadeera said. The 49-year-old victim, L.P. Ariyawathie in good condition and recovering after the surgery, he announced.
Ariyawathie, who returned from Saudi Arabia last Saturday complained of severe pain and has said that the Saudi employer and his family members hammered nails and pins into her body as punishment. An X-ray examination has found 24 nails in her body.

The state-run radio said the chairman of the National Insurance Fund Senaka Abeygunasekera visited the patient at the hospital yesterday and awarded the first insurance installment of 100,000 rupees. Another 250 thousand rupees will be given to her shortly.

The National Insurance Fund in collaboration with the Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) will also construct a house for the victim.

FEB Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka has told the local media that a statement from the victim translated into Arabic language is to be sent to the Saudi authorities through the Sri Lanka External Affairs Ministry. Investigations into the incidents are being carried out further.

No comment has been received from the Saudi authorities yet on the allegations.