Colombo (News 1st): The petition filed against the decision to enforce capital punishment was taken up today (July 02) in the presence of a five-judge bench headed by Court of Appeal President Yasantha Kodagoda.

Deputy Solicitor General, Nerin Pulle appearing for the Attorney General said the Court of Appeal does not have the judicial power to examine a petition filed challenging a decision taken by the President as per the provisions of the constitution.

He pointed out that the President has the right and power as per the provisions of the constitution to decide on the date, time and place of carrying out the capital punishment on inmates sentenced to death by a Superior Court.

The other members of the bench are Justices Deepali Wijesundara, Janak De Silva, Achala Wengappuli and Arjuna Obeysekera.

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