Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has reinstated the death penalty for drug-related offences, in a move that many believe is aimed at boosting his chances of re-election.
"I have already signed the death penalty for four (convicts). It will be implemented soon and we have already decided the date as well," Sirisena told reporters in Colombo on Wednesday, without giving details.
Many Sri Lankans are in favour of reinstating the death penalty to curb rising crime, despite objections from rights groups who've warned that it's an ineffective move.
The last execution in Sri Lanka was 43 years ago.
Thai teen kills 7 in rampage at home and school before shooting himself
Syria says bomb on minibus near Damascus wounded 14, deaths reported mistakenly
Spain hopes to transfer migrant minors to mainland within weeks
Morocco to cooperate on return of minors from Spain after Ceuta crossing
North Korea fires short-range ballistic missile, South Korea says
