PRESIDENT URGED TO PREVENT RETURN OF DEATH PENALTY AFTER 29 YEAR MORATORIUM

Amnesty International issued a statement saying it was gravely concerned at reports that Sri Lanka was set to carry out its first execution in 29 years and called on the country's president to prevent the resumption of executions in the country. Sri Lanka's Justice Ministry and the Attorney General had recently recommended that three people convicted in 1999 for a notorious abduction and killing should be executed. The Sri Lankan prisons chief Rumy Marzook had been quoted as saying that there were some 100 prisoners on death row and that everything was now ready for the gallows to be put into operation. Amnesty International UK Media Director Mike Blakemore said:
"We are appealing to President Kumaratunga to show leadership and stand firm in maintaining Sri Lanka's moratorium on its of the death penalty.
"A return to gallows justice in Sri Lanka would be a step backwards, reversing significant progress Sri Lanka has made in protecting and promoting human rights." On 20 November 2004 the Office of the President had announced that the death penalty would be reactivated, stating that "the death penalty will be effective from today for rape, murder and narcotics dealings."