Interim order suspending death penalty extended

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – The Supreme Court today extended the interim order suspending the enforcement of the death penalty against several heroin racketeers issued by Former President Maithripala Sirisena till the 15th of October.

The order was issued by justices Murdu Fernando, S Thurairajah and Yasantha Kodagoda.

Former President Sirisena addressing a gathering stated that he will sign an order issuing the death penalty on four drug racketeers in 2019.

12 petitions, including by the Centre for Policy Alternatives and several others, were filed calling for the death penalty not to be executed.

Accordingly, an interim order was issued suspending the imposition of the death penalty.

The petitions will be taken up for consideration once again on the 14th of October.