RE-IMPOSING OF DEATH PENALTY

The Forum on Disarmament and Development (FDD) strongly condemns recent statements by His Excellency the President on re-imposing of the death penalty after 43 years in post-war Sri Lanka.the FDD vehemently condemns any measures taken in this regard and states that the Government should abolish the death penalty without delay.

There are some important laws and systems relating to the national security and human security which have not been amended or new legislation being promulgated for more than two decades particularly since the end of war in 2009.

The FDD recently advocated to the Government to amend such laws or promulgate new laws and putting new systems in place to improve law and order in the country and engage with the international community to increase national security and human security overall in Sri Lanka. The FDD advocated amending or bringing new legislation for the following existing laws, systems and engaging with the international community;

1. The Firearms (Amendment)

Act No. 22 of 1996

2. The Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2011

3. The Explosive (Amendment)

Act No. 18 of 2005

4. The Dangerous Knives

(Amendment) Act No. 2 of 1979 5. Re-establishment of the National Commission Against Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms (NCAPISA)

6. Re-engage with the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent Combat and Eradicate Small Arms and Light Weapons in all their aspects (POA)

7. Accede to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

The FDD states that carrying out the above activities are of paramount importance for national security and human security in Sri Lanka as a postwar nation especially as successive governments have failed to reform the country’s security sector.