SJB supports capital punishment

• Sajith says drafting laws to implement death penalty urgent need
• Death sentences needed against terrorists, drug trafficking 

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) supports the implementation of capital punishment, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday.

Participating in the debate on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution Bill, the Opposition Leader said that drafting laws for implementing death penalty was an urgent need of the time. 

At this point, Justice Minister Ali Sabry asked the Opposition Leader if this was his personal opinion or the position of his party.

“We do not have a personal standpoint. We have party standpoints. I do not know why the Justice Minister opposes the implementing of the death penalty against terrorists and drug dealers,” Premadasa said. Sabry in response said it is good now we know the Opposition Leader’s party supports the implementation of the death penalty, adding that some persons from Premadasa’s own Party have gone before the Supreme Court against the implementation of the capital punishment.