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.
Related story
Petition filed seeking interim order be issued against death penalty
The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries which allows for more garments manufactured in Sri Lanka to enter the UK tariff-free.
Read these and more on tomorrow’s edition of the Sunday Times
Cabinet has approved the appointment of Commodore (retired) M.B.N.A. Premaratne of the Sri Lanka Navy, as the new Commissioner General of Excise.
Leave Comments