90 percent public support for death penalty : President

President Maithripala Sirisena today (Jul 29) claimed he was not alone in his efforts to re-introduce judicial hangings as around 90 percent of the public have supported the move. 

Addressing an event in Ratnapura, President Sirisena reiterated his call for the death penalty, which he said would be re-introduced for the betterment of the future generations of the country.

He pointed out that drug racketeers and criminals are being benefitted by the steps taken by certain members of the government to protest against the punishment.

Several rights groups, both locally and internationally have voiced concerns against the President’s decision with regional bodies urging Sri Lanka to uphold its moratorium on the punishment.

Recently, a private member's bill proposing to abolish capital punishment was also put forward before Parliament.

The Supreme Court too has issued an order suspending executions until October 30.

However, the President has remained firm that he would implement the death penalty, and previously claimed to have signed the death warrants for four inmates.