I am against the death penalty as a principle - Rajitha

Co-Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Rajitha Senaratne says as a principle he opposes the unanimous Cabinet decision to implement the death penalty on drug traffickers.

The Minister stated this at the weekly Cabinet press briefing held in Colombo today (11).

Although, the proposal by the President Maithripala Sirisena was unanimously approved by the Cabinet, a result cannot be achieved through the implementation of such decisions, says the Minister.

As the President had stated 19 individuals have been identified as of now, who were found guilty of and already imprisoned over drug rackets and convicted repeatedly for the same offence. It has been decided to impose death penalty to these convicts, said the Minister.

He further stated that the active support of the Sri Lanka armed forces will be sought for this decision and the Ministry of Justice has been noticed to submit a list of the said convicts to the President immediately.