12 February 2021 12:08 am
The Supreme Court yesterday further extended the interim order on the decision taken by former President Maithripala Sirisena to implement the death penalty on four drug offenders until September 7, 2021.
Former President Sirisena in June, 2019 signed the death warrants for the execution of four drug convicts mentioning that it would serve as a deterrent to drug menace in the country.
After former President made the above order a number of parties filed almost 11 petitions in the Supreme Court against the order citing that it was a violation of fundamental rights of the convicts.
After filing the petitions, the Supreme Court issued a stay order in early July, 2019 preventing the capital punishment.