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.
Saudi civil defence sends all-clear after alerts issued for capital Riyadh
11 Syrian soldiers killed in weapons depot explosion
Number of people displaced worldwide falls, UN says
White House turns away reporters after Trump's ban
Israeli strikes kill three people in Gaza, medics say
