Implementing the death sentence was also discussed at length at the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Prisons Department said discussions would be held shortly with the Justice Ministry for making necessary arrangements to implement the death sentence on convicts.

Commissioner General of Prisons Nishan Dhanasinghe said several immediate measures needed to be taken to facilitate the implementation of the death sentence on prisoners. “For instance, the Executioner post is vacant and it had to be filled urgently,” he said.