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Richard Branson disappointed with Sri Lanka’s decision

27 Jun, 2019

British business magnate, investor, author and philanthropist Richard Branson has said he was disappointed with Sri Lanka’s decision to implement the death penalty.

Branson tweeted saying?Sri Lanka was turning back the clock on human rights by resuming executions.

“Disappointing news from a beautiful country. Sign Amnesty’s petition to speak out against the death penalty,” he said.

After 43 years without using death penalty, President Maithripala Sirisena is planning to execute prisoners on death row.

Amnesty International said that if this happens, it will mean that President Sirisena will single-handedly undo Sri Lanka?s enviable record of shunning this irreversible punishment in the region.

“Now, when most of the world has turned its back on the death penalty ? particularly for drug-related crimes – it risks heading in the wrong direction and joining a shrinking minority of states that persist with the practice,” Amnesty International said in its petition.

There is no evidence that the death penalty has a deterrent against crime. Executions are never the solution and for drug-related offences, constitute a violation of international law. Sri Lanka should choose a more humane and just path.

The last execution in Sri Lanka was in 1976. 2019 cannot be the year that we see this this progress reversed. (Colombo Gazette)

Sri Lanka turning back the clock on human rights by resuming executions. Disappointing news from a beautiful country. Sign Amnesty’s petition to speak out against the death penalty: https://t.co/BMtgl1lTZC #LKA #LifeNotDeath

? Richard Branson (@richardbranson) June 26, 2019

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