Sri Lanka under fire over decision to implement death penalty

Sri Lanka has come in for criticism from several western nations and human rights organizations for its decision to implement the death penalty after 42 years. President Maithripala Sirisena had yesterday confirmed that he has signed executions for four people involved in drug abuse.

The United Kingdom urged Sri Lanka not to reinstate the death penalty while warning that doing so would make it more difficult for the UK to cooperate with the island nation on law enforcement issues, including on counter-terrorism.

The UK Foreign Office issued a statement saying it opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. It noted that Sri Lanka voted in favour of a global moratorium on the use of the death penalty at the UN General Assembly just six months ago adding a reversal would be a regressive step that would harm Sri Lanka’s reputation as a tourist destination and growing centre for business.

Canada said it is deeply concerned by the decision and unequivocally oppose the use of the death penalty in all cases. It said this form of punishment is incompatible with human dignity and can lead to irreversible miscarriages of justice as no justice system is immune from error.

A statement said while action to counter the illicit drug trade is important and necessary, there is no evidence that the death penalty is an effective deterrent. (AIR NEWS)

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