Opposition of concerned parties prevented implementation of capital punishment - Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena said he has given continuous leadership throughout his entire political career to prevent the destruction caused by the drug menace and although he signed the declaration to impose capital punishment on drug kingpins it was not possible to implement the decision due to the opposition of concerned parties irrespective of their political views.

However, the country was able to reap many benefits of the drug prevention programmes initiated during the last few years and the dastardly terror attack that was carried out on April 21 is a cowardly attempt to dwindle our efforts to eradicate drugs, the President said.

The President made these comments at a ceremony held at Nalanda College, Colombo yesterday.

The ceremony was organised to felicitate the Chairman of St. John’s Ambulance Association Sri Lanka and an old Nalandian Dr. Sarath Samarage.