Sri Lanka
2026
STATUSAbolitionist de facto
EXECUTIONS 20260
SENTENCES17
- 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
JULY 31, 2026Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: TWO EX OFFICIALS SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER 2019 EASTER BOMBINGS
FEBRUARY 18, 2026Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: 817 INDIVIDUALS SENTENCED TO DEATH CURRENTLY HELD IN PRISONS
The Ministry of Justice and National Integration announced that a total of 817 individuals, both local and foreign, sentenced to death are currently imprisoned across the country, Ada Derana reported on February 16, 2026.
FEBRUARY 11, 2026Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: 12 SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER EX-MP AMARAKEERTHI ATHUKORALA’S MURDER
Twelve individuals, who were found guilty over the murder of former Polonnaruwa District Member of Parliament Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his security officer in 2022, were sentenced to death on February 11, 2026.