Re-introduce the death penalty

Re-introduction of the death penalty is a crying need in Sri Lanka. If clemency is recommended along with the verdict or at an appeal this may be considered appropriately. The death penalty needs to be enforced otherwise.

The death penalty is accepted to be a deterrent. It drives one to think before taking another's life. Deadly crimes planned well ahead and efficiently executed demonstrate that life sentences are no threats to reprehensible criminals.

Protests launched by organizations such as the Amnesty International, based abroad, indicate unawareness of gangster killings, rapes followed by repulsive murders contract extermination and drug trafficking that accompany homicides, that awful crimes have grown rampant in a one time relatively calm country.

Monstrous deeds like kidnapping the young to be sent to the middle east and forced in to slavery and camel riding satisfy only the lust of the unscrupulous money seekers.

The death penalty alone can stifle horrendous crimes which merit no other condign penalty.

I am not intolerant of other views. Idealists no doubt shout down the re-imposition of the death penalty. These like the Amnesty International remain from the repulsive reality in current Sri Lanka.

Ordinary people who comprise the core and mass of this island use the public transport, especially sordid private buses. They recognise how disgraceful are the total lack of discipline and the prevalence of utter disregard and disrespect for human life. The Amnesty International law is insulated from the actual depressing and miserable state of law and order in our island.

Considering ever spiralling crime and overwhelming incidence of dastardly murders the gallows are an imperative need. They should be used and not be in disuse.

Ninety nine percent of the people may yearn for peace and harmony and condemn violence and premeditated heinous crime. They expect Government to protect their children and them and their hard-earned property from various menacing murderers and homicidal maniacs. It is indeed time the death penalty be re-introduced. There should not be any delay. Now is the worst of times.

His Excellency the President and the Government will receive the gratitude of almost all particularly of the poor and honest, for this timely and firm action to stem the horrible crime.

All will certainly give positive support in encouraging the creation of a crimes reduced environment. In conclusion all peace loving citizens would regard those who oppose the re-introduction of the death penalty as those misguided who condone and encourage murders.

Lakshman Siriwardhana, Piliyandala.