some 361 persons have been sentenced to death, in Sri Lanka...

some 361 persons have been sentenced to death, in Sri Lanka, as at September 2011, and some of them are to be pardoned, Parliament was informed.
This was revealed in the answer to an oral question raised by UNP MP Ajith P. Perera in the House.
According to the tabled answer 356 males and five females had been sentenced to death during the given period. It was also revealed that 348 were given the death sentence for murder and 13 for drug related offences.
The execution of the death sentence is to be enforced after obtaining the approval of the President if the convicted are to be pardoned by the President in accordance with the powers wrested unto him under the section 34(1)of the Constitution.