Lanka hiring hangmen as 800 sit on death row

5 October 2011 03:34 pm - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka wants to hire hangmen, a top government official said on Wednesday, after the country's only two executioners quit their jobs, leaving at least 800 convicts sitting on death row.

The death penalty has not been used in Sri Lanka, a predominantly Buddhist country, since 1976, though the government reinstated it in 2004 for rape, drug trafficking and murder.

"There are two vacancies for the hangman position after one person who held the position got a promotion, and the other retired," said Secretary of the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms, A. Desanayake.

"We are planing to advertise the vacancy calling for applications by next week as we cannot keep the position vacant."

At least 800 people convicted of murder and drugs offences could potentially be executed, Desanayake said. The president must sign off on any judicial execution.

Some activists, lawyers and politicians have been lobbying for the death penalty to be carried out, citing an increase in crime since a 25-year war against separatists ended in May 2009. (Reuters)

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Comments - 6

sean Wednesday, 05 October 2011 05:16 PM

This is not a good thing. Death penalty is been opposed globally by many due to its legitimacy in many cases. Such act in this part of the world should not be implemented.

After all we all have seen how recently 2 individuals died in police custody? Also there would be many personal revenge been a priority in many cases.

Many systems are yet to be unbiased, hence, such decisions should not be made!

Sri Lanka a Buddhist country and we will not promote such violent acts!

saman Thursday, 06 October 2011 06:54 AM

We already have one ! whos doing the same with out the designation !

Freedom Thursday, 06 October 2011 09:58 AM

How much salary goverment will pay????

Hera Thursday, 06 October 2011 10:05 AM

When we execute people our people talk of sin and human rights, but when they execute people iin Saudi Arabia or China all are silent!! We have to start executaions soon.

Kulendra De Vass Gun Thursday, 06 October 2011 12:41 PM

Go for it mate, Salary doesn't matter. You will be doing a service to the country.

Sammy Thursday, 06 October 2011 12:47 PM

Implementing the death penalty is a must but it should be unbiased and just.

If your family members are murdered you want them be hanged if it is a stranger death penalty is bad.

SHAME SHAME

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Lanka hiring hangmen as 800 sit on death row

Comments - 6

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