Death penalty could lead to foreign pressure

Former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission Attorney Prathiba Mahanamahewa says the decision by President Maithripala Sirisena to enforce the death penalty could result in negative international pressure.

He said it is more suitable to transform the death penalty to a sentence of life imprisonment.

The former Chairman said the world is of the opinion of the universal abolition of the death penalty as it is the biggest objection to the right to life, and that has been ratified by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as well.

While opposing the death penalty, Mahanamahewa noted those guilty of various offenses should be punished by reverting the death penalty to life imprisonment.

He pointed out that the UNHCR is due to convene again in October in Geneva and more resolutions could be passed against Sri Lanka, even sanctions if the death penalty is imposed.