President Sirisena has taken the decision to spare the lives of these prisoners based on the recommendations made by a Committee appointed following a request by the joint committee of the Ministries of Law and Order and Prisons Reforms and Justice to review the death sentences.

The Commissioner General of Prisons Nishan Danasinghe said they expect more death row inmates to receive the same concession in future.

Although Sri Lankan courts give death penalty in serious crimes such as murder, rape and drug trafficking, no executions were carried out since 1976. All death penalty cases have been commuted to life in prison.