Sri Lanka to recruit a foreign executioner

Colombo (News 1st) - The Department of Prisons is considering recruiting a foreign national for the post of executioner. A high ranking officer at the department noted that they have not received the desired number of applications for the position. Accordingly, the department noted that steps are underway to recruit a foreign national to the post as a result of the prevailing situation. Meanwhile, Prisons media spokesperson, Thushara Unpuldeniya said the deadline for the submission of applications for the post of executioner will conclude at 12 noon today. The list of names of the inmates who are sentenced to death over drug-related charges was handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena on January 25th. The Ministry of Law and Order and Prison Reforms said the list was submitted following the approval of the Attorney General. According to the list, 17 inmates have been sentenced to death. The capital punishment was last imposed in Sri Lanka in 1976 at the Welikada prison, on an individual by the name "Chandradasa".