President speaks about Seya's murder

A dialogue has taken place about procedures that could be adopted to prevent similar incidents in society such as the crime that took place recently in Gampaha, Kotadeniyawa with regard to the murder of Seya Sandwmini. 

It has been the opinion of the majority that since a procedure of judicial system where criminals who deserve capital punishment is not operating in the country at present, criminals are not scared in committing crime. The fact that those who are sentenced to death penalty for lifetime and are later released and those who engage in major offences are on most occasions released on bail has become a norm now, people are not frightened of the law in the country which point has gripped the attention of most people. 

The President Maithripala Sirisena expressed sensitive ideas in this connection for the first time today. He had mentioned at a rally held in Galle today that he is prepared to impose capital punishment from next year if he receives the consent of parliament. The President has further added that though in order to put it into effect a proposal from the parliament has to be approved and that he hopes to question the opinion of the parliament concerning it. The President has brought to memory the murder of Seya Sandwmi too and he had spoken about it with absolute disgust. The President who says that a large section of the public who were shocked in the presence of the child's tragedy had requested him to bring capital punishment into force and he mentions that he has the powers to put it into motion and that at present once the courts impose capital punishment on an offender he has only to put down his signature. He however pointed out that Human Rights Organisations create obstacles in this regard.

President Maithripala Sirisena said that accordingly this situation should change and that if the consent of the parliament is forthcoming in this regard, he would implement capital punishment. He expressed these ideas by joining in with the ceremony "mathin thora ratak" held at the New Town in Galle today.