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President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena |
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SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT SIGNS FOUR DEATH SENTENCES FOR DRUG CRIMES
June 27, 2019: Sri Lanka's president on 26 June 2019 signed death sentences for four people convicted of drug-related offences. "I have already signed the death penalty for four (convicts). It will be implemented soon and we have already decided the date as well," Maithripala Sirisena told reporters in Colombo, without giving details. He said the four could appeal their convictions on charges of trading and trafficking in drugs. Many Sri Lankans, including several influential religious leaders, are in favor of reinstating the death penalty to curb rising crime, though rights groups have warned that such a measure would be ineffective. The last execution in Sri Lanka was 43 years ago. (Sources: Reuters, 26/06/2019)
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