Officials say President Rajapaksa is to make a direct appeal to Saudi King

The appeal comes after the Saudi Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by the parents of the Sri Lankan maid against the death sentence imposed by a high court in 2007.

Human rights activists have also called on the King Abdullah to commute the death sentence.

She was found guilty of a murder of an infant.

'Cruel punishment'

Describing the death sentence as "the ultimate cruel, inhumane and degrading act," London based Amnesty International has also questioned the judicial procedure in the Islamic Kingdom.

"Trials in Saudi Arabia fall far below international standards. They usually take place behind closed doors and Rizana had inadequate legal representation during her interrogation and trial," Amnesty's Yolanda foster told BBC Sandeshaya.

	Rizana's parents have appealed against the death sentence but was rejected by the SC

The Sri Lankan maid Rizana Nafeek was convicted, in 2007, of strangling a four month old infantwhile working with a Saudi family.

She was then sentenced a death penalty of beheading according to the Saudi Arabian High Court.

Her family has appealed against the verdict.

The Supreme Court has recently rejected the appeal and endorsed the death sentence.

Dr. Durrathul Kifaya, a humanitarian worker who has been visiting Rizana, told BBC Sandeshaya from Riyadh that Rizana is yet to be informed of the latest verdict.

"She has been looked after properly in the jail," Dr. Kifaya said.

She added that her parents, legal representatives and other supporters are now planning to appeal for clemency from the parents of the infant.

It is now up to the parents or the Saudi King to grant a pardon before the death sentence is carried out.

"From now on we should not waste a second. We hope that Saudi Arabia would listen to our appeal and give clemency," Dr. Kifaya said.

Amnesty International has also called on governments around the world to stop executions.

The Sri Lankan girl, then seventeen years old, went to Saudi Arabia with high hopes of earning a living in order to help her family who were living in poverty.

She was still a schoolgirl studying at Sapi Nagar School. Her first thoughts at her tender age were a nice house and a good education for her family.