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| Wednesday, 05 January 2005 |
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| Decision to bring back hangman stays - Minister by Sandasen Marasinghe Justice and Judicial Reforms Minister John Seneviratne scotched rumours that the Government's decision to carry out the death penalty was to be shelved due to pressure from foreign countries and stressed that all measures have been put in motion to re-introduce the hangman. "In fact we have already ordered the Hangman's ropes from Pakistan." Seneviratne said addressing the media at the Justice and Judicial Reforms Ministry. Minister Seneviratne observed that the death penalty was at no time abolished from the country's statutes but merely not executed. The increase in the crime rate the gravity of present day crimes had prompted them revert to the implementation of the death penalty though reluctantly. The Minister said the very grave nature of crime such as mass murders, rape and killing of women, raping underage children, organised crimes, planned killings and crimes committed by the underworld has shocked the public. The crime rate, was increasing uncontrollably, he added. Minister Seneviratne further remarked it was revealed that the murder of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya had been committed not due to any personal enmity or any other reason but through the influence of another party. A Judge had been murdered for the first time in the Sri Lankan history and it seemed the country's law and order was spiralling towards anarchy. The Death Penalty will be set in motion with the intention of arresting the crime rate and pulling the country from back from its anarchic state. The Minister said, in the implementation of the death penalty a report by the Attorney General and a report by the Judge who heard the case will be considered by the President. There are 67 convicts in death row at the moment. Secretary to the Justice and Judicial Reforms Ministry Suhadha Gamlath was present. |
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