The death sentence by stoning passed on a Sri Lankan housemaid for adultery has been commuted to imprisonment by the Saudi government following an appeal by the Sri Lankan government, the government said today.

An appeals court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, had decided to hear the case again following pleas by Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry.

Acting Foreign Minister Dr Harsha de Silva made the announcement at a joint press conference held with Minister of Foreign Employment Thalatha Athukorala on the success of the appeal.

He said the appeal against the death sentence was taken up by the Saudi court on Tuesday and he welcomed the outcome.

“The government of Sri Lanka is very happy to announce that the appeal for clemency on the sentence was successful and the Sri Lankan national will have to serve a reduced term in prison,” he told reporters in Colombo.

Atukorale, foreign employment minister, said the maid’s sentence had been reduced to three years.

The woman, a 45-year-old married mother of two who has not been named, was convicted of adultery in August.

She was sentenced to death by stoning, while an unmarried Sri Lankan man convicted alongside her was sentenced to 100 lashes.

Two weeks ago, the government announced that it had secured a fresh trial for the woman after Sri Lankan diplomats visited her in a Saudi jail over the weekend.