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
- JULY 1, 2019Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA HIRES FIRST TWO HANGMEN IN 43 YEARS
Sri Lanka has recruited two hangmen as it prepares to carry out four executions - the first in 43 years.
JUNE 27, 2019Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: PRESIDENT SIGNS FOUR DEATH SENTENCES FOR DRUG CRIMES
Sri Lanka's president on 26 June 2019 signed death sentences for four people convicted of drug-related offences.
JUNE 25, 2019Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: 3 SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR 28 YEAR OLD MURDER
Colombo High Court Judge Sampath Wijeratne issued the death penalty for three defendants who were accused of several cases including the murder of an individual with the use of sharp objects
JUNE 21, 2019Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: FATHER OF THREE SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER POSSESSION OF HEROIN
A father of three has been sentenced to death over the possession of heroin, as per the order of the Colombo High Court.
- APRIL 30, 2019Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH
Two suspects convicted for murder were sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court on 30 April 2019.
MARCH 4, 2019Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: FATHER OF THREE SENTENCED TO DEATH
The Colombo High Court judge Shashi Mahendran on 11 February 2019 sentenced a man to death over a murder committed in 2000.
FEBRUARY 13, 2019Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: DRUG PEDDLER SENTENCED TO DEATH
A defendant found guilty for two indictments, possession of 24 grams of heroin and peddling drugs, was sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court on 31 January 2019.
- JANUARY 25, 2019Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: PRESIDENT SIRISENA REITERATES DECISION TO IMPOSE DEATH PENALTY ON DRUG TRAFFICKERS
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has reiterated the government's decision to impose the death penalty on drug traffickers, a government statement said on 23 January 2019.
- JANUARY 17, 2019Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER SIX MURDERS IN 1999
Two persons on 10 January 2019 were sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court after being found guilty of murdering six persons.
- JANUARY 1, 2019Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person
Capital crimes are: murder, causing an innocent person
DECEMBER 31, 2018Sri LankaDEATH PENALTYSRI LANKA: 1, 299 ON DEATH-ROW IN PRISONS
A total of 1, 299 death row inmates, including inmates who had appealed against their sentence, have been detained in Sri Lankan prisons as of 31 December 2018, the Ministry of Justice and Prisons Reforms said on 9 January 2019.
- NOVEMBER 15, 2018Sri LankaDEATH PENALTY
SRI LANKA: TWO TO HANG FOR MURDER
Two suspects who were convicted of stabbing an individual in Kalawanchikudi to death were sentenced to death after a prolonged trial by the Batticaloa High Court on 30 October 2018.