Five-member Appeal Court judge bench to hear FR petition against death penalty

A five-member judge bench headed by Justice Yasantha Kodagoda has been appointed to hear a fundamental rights petition filed against the death penalty at the Appeal Court.

Last week, Malinda Senaviratne, a senior journalist, had filed the petition in the wake of President Maithripala Sirisena's remarks that he has signed the death penalty for four inmates.

The petitioner argued that the enforcement of the punishment was a violation of human rights. Accordingly, he had sought an interim order to be issued on the death penalty.

However, Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appearing for the Attorney General during the last hearing countered the argument by pointing out that the President's decision could not be challenged under Section 34 of the constitution.

The Attorney General, Prisons Commissioner General and the Welikada Prisons Superintendent have been named as respondents to the petition. 

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Petition filed seeking interim order be issued against death penalty