AG's Dept. should decide on death penalty ; relevant files sent : Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorale

Minister Thalatha Athukorale has said that it is upto the Attorney General's Department to decide on the implementation of the death penalty on inmates convicted of drug-related offences.

She made this remark while responding to a query raised in Parliament by SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara who drew reference to the remarks of President Maithripala Sirisena on the death penalty to be imposed on drug traffickers.

President Sirisena had repeatedly claimed that the files containing records of those serving death sentences have been stolen or destroyed in a bid to prevent the death penalty being implemented. 

"Out of a total of 48 inmates who are serving death sentences after being convicted of drug-related offences, 30 have appealed," Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms Thalatha Athukorale explained while adding that the relevant files of the remaining 18 inmates have been sent to the Attorney General's Department.

Further, she reiterated that the Justice Ministry could not decide on the death penalty and instead it was the Attorney General's department which could do so.