UNP assures EU moves afoot to abolish death penalty

• Group of UNP MPs meet EU representatives to discuss Private Bill presented to abolish death penalty
• Says death penalty could damage international reputation of the country

By Nuwan Senarathna

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday assured the European Union (EU) that they will not allow the death penalty to be implemented, and will work to amend the laws to abolish the death sentence.

UNP MP Bandula  Lal Bandarigoda

UNP Parliamentarian Bandula Lal Bandarigoda presented a Private Member’s Motion to abolish the death penalty on 12 July. The bill had been sent to be gazetted on the same day, suspending Standing Orders in Parliament that required a Bill to be vetted by the Attorney General.

MP Kavinda Jayawardana and MP Hector Appuhami accompanied MP Bandula Lal Bandarigoda, met with EU officials, and discussed the Private Motion presented to Parliament to abolish the death sentence. Following the discussion, Bandarigoda, speaking to media at Temple Trees, said implementing laws and bridging legal gaps is the only way to curb crimes in the country.

“Studies has shown that the death sentence did not reduce crime rates in many parts of the world. Therefore we have to introduce new programs to rehabilitate people who have been convicted and make them better citizens,” he said.

He argued if people convicted for drugs continue smuggling from within prisons, then that indicates a lapse in the prison system, which according to him, can only be solved by implementing reforms within the prison system.

“Sri Lanka is an island, which I believe does not produce drugs. Therefore, drugs come from outside, which means the necessary authorities have failed to prevent smugglers sneaking drugs into the country, a responsibility that the Government cannot run away from.”

He pointed out that politicians cannot take decisions based on emotions, and such decisions could lead to serious consequences in the long-term. He noted hanging drug lords could be seen as a move with good intentions, but which might pose serious challenges at the international level.

“A politician cannot be emotional when taking crucial decisions. Especially, on a matter like the death penalty, we have to look at the broader picture and understand why we need the death penalty. If we implemented the death penalty that might damage our international reputation.” Bandarigoda suggested new programs and laws should be implemented, to rehabilitate inmates and make them better human beings that are capable of contributing to economic development. “Under the current prison system, those imprisoned for minor offences come out with a PhD in crime, as there is no proper system in place to rehabilitate them to prevent them from repeating the same crime.”

Meanwhile, MP Kavinda Jayawardana said prison officers should be responsible if prison inmates continue drug smuggling from within the prison. He noted the death penalty would not solve such shortcomings; therefore only a stronger system could only prevent such activities.

Pic by Chamila Karunarathne