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  string(19) "2022-12-06 00:31:11"
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  string(19) "2022-12-05 19:01:11"
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  string(2855) "

 	
Claims only solution to protect youth
 	
Notes Govt. opposition to death penalty 

State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon noted on Sunday (4) that in his personal opinion, the death penalty should be implemented for drug-related offences in order to safeguard youth and their families.

Speaking to The Morning, Tennakoon said: “My personal opinion is that we have to bring in the death penalty for drug-related offences. However, the Government is not on the same page when it comes to introducing the death penalty for drug-related offences, and they are against the notion. 

“I believe that it should be implemented, but I know that human rights watchdogs will be against this. If so, what about the human rights of the affected families? What about the innocent? What about the youth? I understand that the human rights watchdogs are against this, but sometimes in life, you must take tough measures to protect the people, to send the message across the country, to the world, and these drug racketeers,” he added.

He noted that this is a very critical time of change in Sri Lanka and that there are deep-rooted economic reforms taking place. 

“That is to uplift the economy of this country. It is a time when the innocent should be protected as well,” he said, adding: “We have a supreme duty towards the people of this country first, and that is to protect the innocent. When it comes to protecting the youth; we are stern and strict on this. Though we don’t want to promote the death penalty, I think that we have to implement it as it is the only solution to this problem, in order to protect the youth.”

He also said that President and Defence Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had discussed the issue with the relevant authorities and is fully focused on eradicating the drug menace from this country, adding that “there will be new laws coming into place”.

Meanwhile, recently, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to appoint a Presidential Task Force to prevent the use of dangerous and narcotic drugs. The combined Cabinet memorandum was tabled by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms President’s Counsel (PC) Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, and Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles. This task force will be tasked with identifying, planning, and implementing appropriate practical measures to prevent the use of the same."
  ["post_title"]=>
  string(54) "Defence State Minister moots death penalty for drugs "
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