Death penalty postponed until Oct 30th

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Supreme Court issued an injunction order today(July 05), against the implementation of the death penalty until October 30th. The order was issued when the Fundamental Rights petitions filed against the implementation of the death penalty was taken up for consideration before justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Gamini Amarasekera, and Prassana Jayawardena. The petitioners claim that the fundamental rights of the general public and the prisoners will be violated through the implementation of the death penalty. The Supreme Court decided to take up the Fundamental Rights petitions again on October 20th. Meanwhile, a writ petition filed at the Court of Appeal requesting to prevent the implementation of the death penalty was taken up before a five-judge bench today (July 05). Prisons Commissioner, T.M.J.W. Tennakoon informed the court that the President had not notified the Prisons Department of the specific convicts on death row to be executed, the time and the location where the execution is to be held. The Commissioner agreed not to execute any convicts until the 17th of this month even if the President issues an order. The Prisons Commissioner also agreed to inform the court if the President issues an order to execute the convicts. The petition filed by the journalist Malinda Seneviratne will be taken up again on the 17th of this month.