Sri Lanka
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- presidential republic
- CONSTITUTION
- August 16, 1978, amended in December 2001
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- a combination of common law, Roman-Germanic law, Kandyan systems, and Jaffna Tamil law
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- unicameral, Parliament
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court and Court of Appeal (judges appointed by the President)
RELIGIONS
69.1% Buddhists, 7.6% Muslims, 15% Hindus, 8% Christians, 10% unspecified
From the country
FEBRUARY 9, 2016Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: SEVEN SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER A 1989 MURDER
Seven persons have been sentenced to death by the Tangalle High Court over a murder reported in 1989.
FEBRUARY 7, 2016Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: PRISONERS ON DEATH ROW TO GET LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Following a set of recommendations made by a committee appointed to look into the death sentence issued on several convicts, it has been decided to convert the death sentence imposed on 34 of those convicts into life imprisonment.
JANUARY 4, 2016Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: HRC RECOMMENDS ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY
The Human Rights Commission in a letter to the President recommended the abolition of the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2016Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person
NOVEMBER 26, 2015Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: BROTHERS SENTENCED TO DEATH
The Colombo High Courts have issued the death sentence to two individuals from the same family.
- OCTOBER 21, 2015Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: THREE PERSONS GET DEATH SENTENCE OVER MURDER
Three persons including two brothers convicted over a murder in Kehelwatta, Kapuhena were sentenced to
OCTOBER 14, 2015Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: WELE SUDA SENTENCED TO DEATH IN HEROIN CASE
Notorious drug dealer Wele Suda was sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court for having drugs in
- OCTOBER 14, 2015Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: NEW HANGMEN HIRED FOR 'LIGHT ADMINISTRATIVE DUTY'
Sri Lanka says it has hired two new executioners to replace the previous hangman, who quit shortly after seeing the gallows for the first time.
OCTOBER 6, 2015Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA WILL NOT IMPLEMENT DEATH PENALTY FOR NOW - JUSTICE MINISTER
Sri Lanka will not implement the death penalty temporarily as the country has decided to vote in favor of a UN resolution for moratorium on death penalty in 2015, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha said in parliament.
- JULY 2, 2015Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: THREE SENTENCED TO DEATH IN JAFFNA
Jaffna High Court has sentenced three individuals to death, Police Media Unit said.
- MAY 14, 2015Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: FOUR SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER
Four persons found guilty of a murder reported in 2000 have been sentenced to death in Sri Lanka.
- APRIL 29, 2015Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER MURDER IN 2000
Two persons found guilty over a murder carried out in the Hingurakgoda area in 2000 have been sentenced to death by the Polonnaruwa High Court.