Date finalised for first executions-President

A defiant President Maithripala Sirisena today announced that a date has been finalised to end the decade long moratorium on executions in the country, and to impose the death penalty on several criminals convicted of drug racketeering. President Sirisena made this remark this morning speaking at the Presidential Secretariat during a meeting with heads of media organisations and news editors. The President refrained from announcing the date to recommence executions in Sri Lanka and also invited all human rights groups and activists who have opposed the death penalty to visit the country and observe the destruction caused to Sri Lankans due to the circulation of illicit narcotics.

The Head of State stressed that all schools and state employees will be directed to taking a pledge on the 3rd of April to eradicate narcotics, further stating the government will forge ahead with its attempts to combat narcotics in the country.

President Sirisena noted, all investigations into the alleged VVIP assassination plot by the Criminal Investigations Department have been completed. The President said he is satisfied with the investigations and noted that CID officers are likely to hand over the investigative report to the Department of the Attorney General next week. The President meanwhile offered to assist in investigations into the murders of journalists including the former News Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Commenting on the controversial Central Bank Bond issuance case, President Maithripala Sirisena claimed he personally requested the Singaporean Prime Minister to extradite former CBSL Governor Arjun Mahendran to Sri Lanka, citing an Interpol red notice. However the President informed media heads, that he is unaware whether former CBSL Governor Arjun Mahendran still remains in Singapore.

Despite being the head of government, President Maithripala Sirisena said he will refrain from commenting on the contents of the 2019 Budget which was tabled in Parliament yesterday. The President said the public will not receive solutions to all issues merely through an annual budget.

The Head of State also confirmed that the Presidential Election will be held during the course of this year. President Sirisena however highlighted that a Parliamentary Election could be called this year prior to the scheduled Presidential polls. Meanwhile, President Sirisena said he will abide by the decision taken by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party pertaining to the next Presidential candidate.

The President also invited all factions to set aside differences and unite to rebuild the ailing economy. Meanwhile President Sirisena expressed his disapproval of certain trade unions who continuously protest for their demands to be met, regardless of the state of the country’s economy.

The President also expressed his views on a range of topics, while also pledging to overhaul the Police service. President Sirisena said the promotion of Police officers will be streamlined under relevant reforms. The Head of State said at present over 85,000 officers below the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police have not received due promotions.

President Maithripala Sirisena on a separate note said a delegation will be sent to the 40th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva to discuss the resolution tabled on Sri Lanka. The Head of State said Parliamentarians Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Mahinda Samarasinghe and Governor of the Northern Province Suren Raghavan will represent Sri Lanka at the on-going UNHRC session in Geneva.