President urged to revisit execution decision

The Former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka President's Counsel UR De Silva has raised concerns and has questioned the criteria followed by the President to ratify the capital punishment on four persons convicted of narcotic related crimes.

President Maithripala Sirisena last week announced that he has signed papers ratifying the capital punishment on four persons found guilty of drug related crimes.

However several local and international organisations have opposed the decision to end the moratorium on the capital punishment in Sri Lanka.

Speaking to NewsRadio, President's Counsel UR De Silva said a total of 470 persons are in death row at present and questioned the reasoning behind the selection of just four persons as President gears to end the moratorium on the death penalty in the country.

He said a convict can appeal against his sentence at the Court of Appeal and before the Supreme Court and only following the process that the Head of State can sign papers to implement the Capital punishment.

President's Counsel UR De Silva noted that 459 males, five females and six foreigners have exhausted all their options and can be executed following President’s orders.

He said the President however cannot use his discretion when signing execution orders

Presidents Counsel UR De Silva therefore noted that he is of the view that President Maithripala Sirisena should revisit his decision to impose the capital punishment on four persons found guilty of drug related crimes.