With the aim of gradually phasing out the sending of housemaids abroad, the government has decided to raise the minimum age of maids going to Saudi Arabia to 25 years, the Government Information Department stated.

The decision was taken following the execution of Rizana Nafeek in Saudi Arabia on January 9.

The execution was widely criticized by international rights groups and much of the western world as well as in Sri Lanka with several groups demanding that some action be taken against the violation of several international laws.

Much controversy surrounded Nafeek’s valid age as her passport was changed by the agents who found her employment in order to make her appear the suitable age whereas her birth certificate confirmed that she was only 17 years of age when she was sentenced to death.

A large number of Sri Lankan women work in Saudi Arabia as housemaids while many more still travel there in search of domestic work.

However, the government has made a decision to increase the minimum age of housemaids who are allowed to seek work in Saudi Arabia in order to curb the number of women who travel there.