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
MARCH 22, 2018Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: SOLDIER, 2 OTHERS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR HINDU PRIEST KILLING
A soldier and two others accused of killing a Hindu priest in Murugumoorthi Sankanai, Jaffna, on April 11, 2010, and severely injuring another were convicted and sentenced to death.
MARCH 14, 2018Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: HEROIN PEDDLER SENTENCED TO DEATH
A heroin peddler accused of trafficking 14.6 grams of heroin was sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court.
JANUARY 3, 2018Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: MAN GETS DEATH SENTENCE FOR 18G OF HEROIN
A suspect found guilty for the possession and distribution of heroin was sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court.
- JANUARY 1, 2018Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person
- NOVEMBER 19, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: DEATH SENTENCE FOR POSSESSING 147 GRAMMES OF HEROIN
The Colombo High Court sentenced to death L. Chaminda Jagath, a father of two from Boralesgamuwa for possessing 147 grammes of heroin.
OCTOBER 27, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: 2 FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER 35 YRS AGO SENTENCED TO DEATH
Two persons found guilty of a murder 35 years ago have been sentenced to death by the Kurunegala High Court.
OCTOBER 20, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYPapua New Guinea: Death row inmates denied full protection of the law
The Court, presided over by Justice David Cannings, has ordered a stay on any execution of prisoners who have been sentenced to death until their rights under the constitution are fully complied with.
- SEPTEMBER 27, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: SEVEN SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER VIDYA MURDER
The three-member judge bench hearing the case filed over the abduction, gang rape and murder of schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vidya gave the death penalty to the 7 suspects including the chief suspect in the case ‘Swiss Kumar’.
- SEPTEMBER 14, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: DEATH SENTENCE IMPOSED ON FOUR IN KEGALLA
The Kegalla High Court sentenced to death four accused who stood indicted over a murder and were found guilty.
- JUNE 1, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: FIVE INCLUDING THREE OF ONE FAMILY SENTENCED TO DEATH
Five suspects, including three members of the same family, who were found guilty of three separate murders in Vavuniya, were sentenced to death by Vavuniya High Court Judge Balendran Shashimahendran.
APRIL 9, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSri Lanka: Reprieve death row, lifers to overcome prisons congestion, says report
To date, there are a total of 1,082 persons on death row, 726 cases remain under appeal, while Life sentence prisoners total 555, with 463 cases under appeal
- FEBRUARY 17, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: 5 SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER 1995 MURDER
The Kandy High Court sentenced to death five persons found guilty of a murder in 1995.