Judge refuses to follow traditional process when delivering death sentence, gives reason

 

 

Tangalle High Court Judge R.S.S. Sapuvida has announced he will not follow the traditional method when announcing a death sentence.

Announcing of death sentences is followed by switching off the lights at the courthouse, the judge arising from his seat, and breaking the pen used to sign the verdict.

However according to the Lankadeepa Newspaper, justice R.S.S. Sapuvida said he will not follow the process, and will instead announce the death sentence similar to other court rulings.

He made the declaration when announcing the death sentence issued to a suspect over the murder of a woman in Walasmulla in 2006.

The judge revealed he will not follow the traditional method of announcing a death sentence, as the verdict issued by the Supreme Court to a suspect over the murder of Senior High Court Judge Ambepitiya is yet to be implemented. 

He pointed out that another reason is the possibility of suspects being issued the death sentence by the Supreme Court being released after receiving a pardon under the current judicial system.

As such, justice R.S.S. Sapuvida has decided to announce verdicts of death sentence as a normal court ruling, instead of the traditional method