“By lifting a 43-year moratorium on the death penalty, the President will do great damage to Sri Lanka’s human rights leadership in the region, its compliance with its international obligations and reputation,” says the Lawyers for Democracy.
Issuing a statement, the Lawyers for democracy (LfD) has urged President Maithripala Sirisena to reconsider his decision on implementation of the death penalty.
We publish below the statement in full:
Sirisena
Lawyers for Democracy notes, with grave concern that President Maithripala Sirisena plans to execute at least 13 death row prisoners. By lifting a 43-year moratorium on the death penalty, the President will do great damage to Sri Lanka’s human rights leadership in the region, its compliance with its international obligations and reputation. This arbitrary and ill-advised move is both regressive and offers no guarantees of effectively tackling drug-related crimes, as he predicts.
There is no empirical evidence that the death penalty is an effective deterrent. For example, studies demonstrate that the crime rates across States within the USA do not appear to be drastically different, or affected, based on the classification of such States as those that (1) do not impose the death penalty; (2) impose but do not execute; and (3) impose and execute.
More alarming still is that President Sirisena is unilaterally breaking with Sri Lanka’s consistent voting record in favor of a moratorium on the implementation of the death penalty at the United Nations General Assembly, as it voted in as recently as in December 2018. Sri Lanka’s international legal obligations must be given their due weight and not be subject to the whims of the Executive. Failure to do so will signal to the world that Sri Lanka does not take its commitments to uphold international human rights law seriously, discrediting the hard work of our foreign service.
A more constructive and effective exercise, would be for introspection of Sri Lanka’s criminal justice system. Beholden to power, mired in red tape and lopsided in its ability to dispense justice for the poor, it is critical that reform be prioritized. Strict law enforcement, rehabilitation and dismantling systems that enable drug smuggling will address the root causes of why its use and trade is so rampant. Long term solutions are the need of the hour, and, we urge President Sirisena not to give into the temptation of implement populist moves that in reality, achieve nothing.
Samson Gunawardhana / February 28, 2019
This man will never bring death penality -gallow. It is just an another lipservice. All these ludicrous public statements are just to bamboozle the very same grass eaters. I am sorry for the our stupid masses. They should learn to study the facts and the tricks being played by Sirisena style politicians. They are also being misled by BLACK media apart from the abusive politics being played by vicious politicians of Sirisena and Rajapakshe nature. These men truly know that people are naive and gullible. Majority of people are buddhists, but by birth. They would believe anything for nothing. Over 90% are after astrology and sorcery. Latter is believed to be the factor larger portion of people to just get cheated by politicians easily. Politicians just abuse people s gullibility by showing them carrots. Once they get elected, they just go on with pocket filling tactics. Mahinda Rajapakshe is the most abusive leader to have looted the state to the core. His billions are now being spent for MEDIA mafia while Sirisena has already prvoed to be no better to Rajakashe. Sirisena has now become even worst of worst the mother lanka ever produced. Telling something and doing totally different thing to please his masters has become his day today agenda by today. UNP and various civil society groups to have elected Sirsena to go against corruption and high profile crimes deliberately perpetrated by Rajakapakshe are today, speechless. People are so fed up of Sirisena, even seeing him on the SCREEN is like showing a red cloth to a bull.
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Amarasiri / February 28, 2019
Lawyers for Democracy,
Sirisena is a Gamarala in the City looking for attention. He claimed that the Indians wanted to kill him, and the Indians ignored him. They released the Indian
Then Sirisena wants to get the death penalty. Hr is getting the attention.
Give Sirisena some candies. He will calm down from his tantrums.
Have you heard about the circle of Sirisena.
1. says one thing.
2. Announce another thing.
3. Does something different.
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MsPittubambuwa / February 28, 2019
Amarasiri Bro,
:
This he has learnt from his over 50 years srilanken parliamentary politics.
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Reminding those 51 day conspiracy – he spoke to Speaker and vice versa as it was reported that reconvene of parliament would be on on the 5th, then 9th or so in Nov 2018, but no gazette notification came up…. all and all, the local media reported President to have agreed upon…. within a short period of time, Prez Sirisena change from one decision to other. That shows his political matuarity. : All these make us very clear, this man is not good to be a CLERK, but to have been appointed by us as the president ?…..in retrospect, except that his was good enough to get rid of BP Rajapkshe from his brutal politics, else, nothing brought to this country.
UNPrs worked die hard to win the country among international communty, but praises went to incapable SIRISENA. All in all, the situation is similar to a wrong appointment regarding a heart surgery. The kind of jokers have already tarnished if anything earned by former politicians as, being one of the oldest democracies in asia.
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Amarasiri / March 1, 2019
Dear MsPittubambuwa,
Yes. Sirisena’s crowning achievement is replacing BP MaRa.
To understand Sirisena, just understand the circle of Sirisena.
What happened to him resigning, if Ranil W is PM again?
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MsPittubambuwa / March 1, 2019
If you would please watch the video linked below, will get it easily.
This Kumari, an uneducated housemaid would do any harm to the nation just because she doe snot know what impact that would have. The beautiful songs are abused by her mouth. But she becomes popular.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IMsmOB0EHk
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Likewise, we made the biggest ever faux pas in 2015, by bringing MY3 and today we are caught by a situation, that our angers would never be able to controll over.
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Sirisena s profile would not even fit for a village headman in today s context.
He has always the audacity and sangfroid to make him a joker before the very same nation that with much hopes appointed him to the office. What a shame.
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nimal fernando / February 28, 2019
The best death-penalty is ………. if all these politicians hang themselves; they are the root of all evil
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Drugs are not such a menace as the politicians …….. look at all the damage they have done and compare that to the damage done by any druggie!
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In any list of danger to the nation politicians comes first ………. drugs are nothing ………. perhaps the people are into to drugs out of depression ……. unable to live in such a society completely screwed up by politicians and religious-crooks ……
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Gota look at things differently ……… things are not always what they seem ………..
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First hand Sirisena
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Then Mahinda
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Then Ranil ……………..
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mike / February 28, 2019
nimal fernando – These bastards are not listening, Sri Lanka will be better off without them. Let us begin the game and send Sillysena, Medamulana Meeharaka and the notorious Ranilpaksha six feet under while the rest of the crooks can await in the “departure lounge”.!
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Desperate Sinhalaya / February 28, 2019
Sirisena has nothing left to damage.His charator has become to be similar to that of modern day “Andare- අන්දරේ…..”. As commented above and on various other webs, he is the loser of the nation. The trophy will be waiting for him at the end of the year. Not just that, most likely his put-off journey to 6-feet-under will be a reality for sure. He has more enemies than asskissers. Rajaakshes the green monsters would be part of his murder in the future. Peoples angers exceed to the levels as above commenter added it clearly.. There is no other politician whose credibility snaped akin to a glass wall fragmented into pieces. All these were architected by him during last 4 months. This man is an another example, any one from lower level of the society would never end up with colours this or other countries. As Dr Amila Thero made it very clear, SIRISENA s hatred towards PM RW long before 26 Oct 2018.’s coup.
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rew / March 1, 2019
Andare’s B…s
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Shrikharan / February 28, 2019
Lawyers For Democracy: “President will do great damage to Sri Lanka’s human rights leadership”
In that case, Incarcerating people to solitary confinement in prisons is also damage to human rights. So there should not be any prison. Prisons should also be abolished. All should be set free!
Bloody fools these Lawyers For Democracy. The person was sentenced to death because he had committed premeditated murdered. Did he respect the human rights of his victim? These Lawyers for democracy are only supporting the villains.
In Sri Lanka nobody respects the law because the punishment is very mild.
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Real Revolutionist / February 28, 2019
Shrikaran
As a matter of fact
Those sentenced to death deserve that punishment, not life imprisonment.
The difference between death penalty & life imprisonment should be understood/differentiated unless it may amount to contempt of court as well.
What else we can do for reconvicted criminals managing their drug dealings from prison cells with state protection.
Lawyers for democracy seems to be a set of fools.
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ralli hamid / February 28, 2019
I do not know what kind of feelings these lawyers and others who say death penalty is inhuman and should be abolished. I asked the question what if one of their young daughter raped and killed. May be looking at the dead body and might think it is natural. Bastards without feelings.
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Native Vedda / February 28, 2019
Real Revolutionist
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“What else we can do for reconvicted criminals managing their drug dealings from prison cells with state protection.”
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How do “reconvicted” criminals get their supplies into the prison? What is the purpose of having tall walls, gates and guards in and around prison? Do you really know what you are talking about?
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“Those sentenced to death deserve that punishment, not life imprisonment.”
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What happens when miscarriage of justice take place. For instance once you are hung that’s it. Who is going to replace you? Not that humanity would have lost anything.
Maybe you clone yourself before you go to the gallows.
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By the way who are you to decide who should die for what they did or didn’t do?
How about those hundreds of thousands of war criminals still in uniform and still living?
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Real Revolutionist / February 28, 2019
Native Vedda
“How do reconvicted ………………………………………………………………? Do you really know what you’re talking about?”
Well, If the story is particularly related to drug dealing, what appears in the surface is probably different than what’s inside. Underworld seems to be the strong force here. You may argue that it’s the politicians & corrupt officials that strengthened the underworld.
Now we have the challenge of getting rid of both.
Who or what we have to get rid of first?
Is there a way to rehabilitate both?
People would say why should we pamper them when they behave to change the destiny of people & the country never to recover again.
“What happens when ……………………………………………? May be you clone yourself before you go to gallows”
Pls see that my comment was about reconvicted criminals only.
War criminals? It’s out of the point pls.
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Ben Hurling / February 28, 2019
Real Revolutionist,
Your point is the prison system is ineffective, corrupt and do not rehabilitate convicts. The state is responsible for that system, but it is rotten. Therefore let’s hang the inmates? Who is the bloody fool? It looks like you.
Cheers!
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Real Revolutionist / February 28, 2019
Ben Hurling
Generally convicted are rehabilitated.
Reconvicted are rarely rehabilitated.
If there’s a way for you come forward for that task.
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Ben Hurling / February 28, 2019
Shrikharan,
Have you ever been bitten by a mad dog? DID U BITE THE DOG BACK? Going by the primitive logic in your comment, YOU SHOULD.
Cheers!
PS: May all fools in Sri Lanka realize, the DEATH PENALTY is inconsistent with civilized human behavior we aspire to as a nation. Well done Lawyers For Democracy!
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Shrikharan / February 28, 2019
Ben Hurling
You got it wrong!
Mad dog is sick and does not know what it’s doing! Similar if a mad man (schizophrenic) commits a murder he is never put in jail. He is not responsible for his actions. Certainly, he needs psychiatric help. We are talking of people who know what they are doing.
The fundamental justice system works on the very concept ‘two wrongs DO make a right!’ If you don’t agree just dismantle, police, courts and the judiciary and forgive everyone who harms you. I will take a bet the next day you will be walking on the street without a roof above your head all taken by force
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citizen Perera / February 28, 2019
Why are these so called lawyers for democracy silent on the death penalty in other countries such as China, US and the middle east? Is the US an uncivilised country?
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Buramphisincho / February 28, 2019
Now he has nothing left to be damaged right ?
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President got elected to serve justice is now fallen on to the laps of the king of criminals – none other than former President Rajaakshe. So, what more shame left in the person of SIRISENA, latter is clear to even school going children but not to some that only live on the crime promoting culture. That Mahindaananda Aluthgamage to have bought a 2 million (sterling pounds) in London can reveal you guys lot more. Ballige puthaa had not even 1500 rps at the time he joined lanken politics two decades ago. How could a man of that low income to become sky-high untouchable rich ? If that is the case with Aluthgamage, what about the size of wealth of Rajapakshes. All these can easily be traced, if SIRISENA is wholehearted as promised to 6.2 mio voters prior to PE 2015. Nothing is that difficult to find in today IT world, untruths can be clear within days .. no need to wait months…. Nothing is done by this SIRISENA, nor has hee been permitting PM to do the job as Independent commission expect them to be.
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Ajith / February 28, 2019
“In Sri Lanka nobody respects the law because the punishment is very mild.” -Srikharan
In Srilanka nobody respects the law. I accept this part of your comment. But “nobody includes majority of politicians including the current President, PM, former President etc. None of those who committed at high level are not punished not because of the punishment is not mild because of the misuse of power by politicians, high ranking officials including Police and Military. The current laws are sufficient to punish all the criminals including drug trafficers, drug dealers, drug consumers. If you want to bring back death sentance it should not limited to drug offences but all other offences including bribe, political coup, cold hearted murders.
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JD / February 28, 2019
I am pretty sure, Srilankan Drug king pins are supported and protected by a very powerful country’s Intelligence Agency.. I saw RTI comissioner has written a letter to NEWYork times saying That Sri lanka tried a few times to recruit hangmen. but they did not do any hanging instead they quit the position. I don’t know whether it is a suggestion for the future or actually it happened.
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shankar / February 28, 2019
Doesn’t the victim also have human rights.Oh i forgot,victim is dead so is no longer a human.he or she is a ex human.So we have to now look at the human rights of living human,the perpetrator.
BTW,does anyone respect a lawyer in this country.Do we want the opinion of the people or do we want the opinion of lawyers?Have a referendum.In fact in one referendum ask the opinion of people whther they want the presidency,death penalty,devolution,reduction to 100 members representing them,13th amendment,new constitution,etc etc.To save costs ask 10 important questions in one referendum.
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Native Vedda / February 28, 2019
shankar
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“Doesn’t the victim also have human rights.”
Well every human being has not only human rights but universal rights.
However
“An Eye for an Eye Will Make the Whole World Blind”
-Mohandas Gandhi, Bible, Graham Canadian MP 1914 (An eye-for-eye and tooth-for-tooth would lead to a world of the blind and toothless.), ……………….
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What sort of world and a country are you trying to build?
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By any chance you are the biological mother of VP, Gota, Pottu Amman, …………… Shavendra Silva, or perhaps a surrogate rent a womb mother?
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shankar / March 1, 2019
native
“Well every human being has not only human rights but universal rights.”
Thanks for acknowledging that at least.We have to be grateful for small mercies from you.Even dead humans too?You have not mentioned that.However your real feelings for the victims is contradicted by that ghandhi crap of eye for an eye etc.Ghandhi may have been a great man,but still only is a man,not god and will make mistakes too.Even Lord bhuddha was a man not god,and his preachings of non violence and non retaliation led to muslim conquest of bhuddhist india.Then the people became hindus to fight back.read about nalanda in india.
So the moral of this all is you have to be practical in this world without theoretical words only that sound nice but in practical sense are nice sounding words only.
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Native Vedda / March 1, 2019
shankar
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“So the moral of this all is you have to be practical in this world without theoretical words only that sound nice but in practical sense are nice sounding words only.”
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We live with humans therefore learn to understand them.
I am not sure where you get the idea of god.
While you at it, let me quote Euripides,
“Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad.”
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I see quite a lot of them here.
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shankar / March 2, 2019
native
“While you at it, let me quote Euripides,”
you seem to love words of famous people and make them into prophecies.
here is some you might like which are practical unlike your ones.
sean connery-i like women though i don’t understand them.
trump-part of the beauty of me is iam very rich.
bush-it is clearly a budget.It has a lot of numbers on it.
trump-if hilary cannot satisfy her husband,what makes her think that she can satisfy america.
ghandhi-live as if you were to die tomorrow.(one of my favourite )
and here the most practical one of all which also i follow
steve jobs-the only way to do great work is to love what you do.(24/7i am watching global markets taking cat naps,but i love what i do,and the money too)
ps.i agree with sean connery too.No need to understand,just enjoy the crack between the legs.However caution is needed,cos it always starts out as a small crack,over time it grows and grows to the point that it swallows up homes,cars,bank accounts,retirement plans etc.enjoy with caution.
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Mallaiyuran / February 28, 2019
” Death Penalty: Sirisena Will Do Great Damage To Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Leadership In The Region: Lawyers For Democracy”
Where these Lawyers for Democracy are is coming from? I wonder if the Lawyers for Democracy are living in the moon! The entire world knows Lankawe killed 150,000 innocent civilians in five months just because they are Tamils. Lankawe is one of the 22 Countries uses rape as a weapon (against Tamils). There is a Resolution asking Lankawe to investigate these crimes in the international forum UNHRC. 42 Leaders and Commanders were accused in one of the OISL report as War Criminals.
Come on Guys! Do you call yourself “Lawyers For Democracy”?
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Ad / February 28, 2019
Death is not a penalty, but a release from suffering. No one can assume the responsibility of the divine powers which produces life. Only animals think of killing. Let the President prove he is one.
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Real Revolutionist / February 28, 2019
Ad
Comment resulted in overthinking.
Let divine powers decide the fate of those made to die & died but give relief from suffering (of drug dealing) to the society..
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shankar / March 1, 2019
Ad
that is why our politicians are continuing to live without dying.Let them suffer some more If they die their suffering like palatial houses,cars, commissions all will cease.
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JD / February 28, 2019
History of Lawyers for Democracy says, it is originally, European NGO. Wikipedia says, later CIA took over it and began to fund. I heard there were 12 high paying Lawyers from one country, came to save Madush and the gang. Lawyers for democracy says, Drug barons have more rights than the drug pushers who ruin their lives and than parents who struggling to save their children from Drug menace.Why Did not they publish the list of the Lawyers who are fighting for the Drug Lords. So many NGOs are mourning, the reason should be because of their funding agency’s influence. It says, Madush had support from 80 politicians.However, Kiriella nee perera GOT TWO MINISTRIES FROM rANIL BECAUSE KIRIELLA NEE PERERA SAVED RANIL FROM ANY QUESTIONING.
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PARAMANATHANK / February 28, 2019
Barbarians are at the doorstep of every home. Detection of huge consignments of narcotics in the tune of many billions for the last few years is the burning issue of this country. We can clearly see this country is gradually falling into the hands of drug mafia ably supported by the rogue politicians and the underworld mafia. Underworld kingpins are on a rampage committing gruesome killings where the police department is helpless. Therefore the country is pushed into a crisis situation to face this assault unleashed by the criminal elements to jeopardize normalcy. Go to hell with human rights and main priority should be to PUT THE HOUSE IN ORDER BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. First and foremost is to declare the emergency rule to wipe out the drug mafia.
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critical thinking / February 28, 2019
He will never do anything. He is not a man of words. Please wait and see. he wants next terms. so, he is using this.
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bish / February 28, 2019
The drug Kings already done damage to SL people
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Raj-UK / February 28, 2019
Sirisena is uneducated, has no idea of current thinking in a global context & totally out of his depth as a leader of a country. He wants to make the best of his opportunity as President to acquire much wealth as he can, & just as his similarly uneducated predecessors, knows only how to play to the gallery. No doubt, his cronies in Parliament will support his bill but whether it will be passed or not, he wants to show the gullible public that he is tough on crime at a time when the country is mired in corruption & crimes of all sorts.
It has come to light, in fact, widely accepted, that there is inherent corruption in law enforcement & judiciary. An innocent Tamil mechanic was accused of Lasantha’s murder & died mysteriously in remand, more recently, an Indian national accused of plotting to kill Sirisena was acquitted with no case to answer for, therefore, we can assume that innocent people have been charged with crimes due to the inefficiency of the police or as a cover up, just to please the public. Considering this scenario, what is the possibility of innocent victims of miscarriage of justice being sent to the gallows?
The maha sanga are usually quick to get in to political debates & issues related to the country but so far, they seem to be silent in a matter which is in their domain as it concerns human life. I would like to know where they stand because they are expected to give spiritual guidance, even for the condemned.
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Fathima / February 28, 2019
Mother of all crimes in SL is bribe taking. If authorities trace the roots of any crimes, there would be a bribe that can be little or large. PLEASE STOP that and SL will resolve many issues
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Dharshana W / February 28, 2019
My viewpoint is that nobody should criticize any other comments, since everybody is free to express their independent views, unless they are racially / religiously / communally biased.
On the topic of the death penalty being carried out, it is a verdict delivered by the higher courts in this country, thus the process of execution is a mere matter of execution.
I do not see the logic in carrying out the verdict should be a mere matter of routine. Although there stands a 43-year moratorium on the death penalty, the types of crimes and the people in committing heinous crimes.
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nalmen / February 28, 2019
life imprisonment in sri lankas prisons is worse than death
so put your words into action sira unlike in the past
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K.Pillai / February 28, 2019
Most Lankans loath he Philippines President Rodrigo Duarte. The world has noted MS cavorting with Duterte. MS is the only leader in the region to do so.
Surely Lawyers for Democracy (LfD) know that the damage to our reputation has been done.
Bringing back the noose makes it just a shade worse.
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LfD please note the deafening silence of our own Elites Sans Frontières over the interception of nearly 300 kg of cocaine last week. The culprits are not named and to the best of our knowledge, no one is swinging.
Equally strange is the intense interest shown by the Lankan Elites over the recent Dubai drug arrests.
Curioser and curioser? Watch this space.
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charles / March 1, 2019
How come death penalty violates human rights. Especially drug traffickers. Because of them whole is destroyed. People who are involved in this do not like the law.
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Native Vedda / March 1, 2019
charles
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“How come death penalty violates human rights. “
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It’s about right to life.
In the case of capital punishment, two wrongs do not make it right.
Miscarriage of justice could not be reversed.
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A country should not be built on the idea of reeking vengeance.
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Good Sense / March 1, 2019
I cannot forget the fact that HE wanted to implement his retentionist policies at the beginning of his regime but effectively thwarted by RW. Further, it was RW and other green boys in Cabinet wholeheartedly supported HIS proposal to implement his retentionist policies perhaps confined to drug traffickers for starters. In that context, it is interesting as to why this group of lawyers has not addressed or copied their letter to the entire cabinet of ministers. We know how rotten the prison system is. Cash is King. In bringing in this punishment would increase corruption leaps and bounds. Every chap in the link that leads to the decision as whether to execute the condemned or not can make a whopping deal. If the prison itself is the headquarters of drug trafficking obviously the effective bosses of the prison system (Not necessarily the official bosses) are in the racket. That needs to be addressed first. So it boils down to tackling of the question of corruption in the system, whether amongst the elected representatives of the public and the appointed public servants. Narcotic trade is the chief revenue source for terrorism and thuggery for their sustenance. In that context, an apparent fight against the trade by the powerful enables one to bargain with traders for a commission from the trade.
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Analyst / March 1, 2019
What we know of drug habits and the Music world which goes hand in hand.
Drug culture is common among musicians world wide too it’s a common practice among musicians.
Not sure of why it’s common among this group which need scientific proof.
In SLANKA it’s not known openly until the recent exposure of the famous musicians father and son combo had been caught up in the Dubai Drug Party arrests.
Srilankans and the Media Coolies are famous for ” whitewashing ” Sinners druggies , ,Murderers and Thieves.
That’s why this COUNTRY SINNERS have become Untouched AND Uncontrollable.
Are we not Doomed because of the Denial.
No Punishment but Denial by the Parliament, Law & Order , and the Mafia Lords and by the Media Coolies Our country is heading for total destruction.
Has it become the Shithole of Asia??
Don’t we need to be Concerned. ??
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Analyst / March 1, 2019
Don’t we need to be worried about our future generation.?? The SL Mafias and Media coolies privateLY and illegally accumulated wealth , should they be HUSHED UP ??
Do we allow these Mafias to Pollute our future generation??
Any thoughts?
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sacre bleu / March 3, 2019
So how do we tackle a situation that has become worse than an epidemic. whoever is involved should be brought before the law and given a sever sentence without interference. The present debates will not help the eradication and is more to draw the attention towards a few than eradication of the issue in question. Remember how some of the productions of narcotics were substituted with flower, in the care of the courts.
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