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
NOVEMBER 19, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI 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 PENALTY
Papua 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 PENALTYSRI 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 PENALTY
Sri 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.
FEBRUARY 2, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: PRESIDENT COMMUTES DEATH SENTENCES OF 60 INMATES TO LIFE
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to commute the sentences of 60 prisoners in death row to life sentences prisoners on account of the 69th Independence Day on February 04.
- JANUARY 9, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: TEN PEOPLE SENTENCED TO DEATH BY BADULLA AND MATARA HIGH COURTS
Ten persons were sentenced to death after being found guilty of two murders reported in Matara and Badulla.
- JANUARY 1, 2017Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person