Cabinet nod to amend Code of Criminal Procedure on death sentence for minors

COLOMBO (News 1st) Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers has given the green light to amend Section 281 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Section 281 of the Code of Criminal Procedure relates to the 'Punishment of detention in lieu of death for persons under eighteen years of age'.

A statement from the Department of Government Information noted that steps were taken to amend article 53 of the Penal Code to NOT impose the death sentence against anyone under the age of 18 at the time of committing an offense, in the opinion of the court, and that the death penalty could be replaced by detention as long as the President wishes.

However, it noted that there is no mention in Section 281 of the Penal Code NOT to impose the death sentence against anyone under the age of 18 at the time of committing an offense.

Therefore, it was identified that the uncertainty surrounding the matter needs to be cleared and the relevant amendment needs to be included in the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the Justice Minister's memorandum to proceed with the necessary amendments.