As the nation revives the death penalty, Cardinal Ranjith must walk a fine line
In July the Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena, announced he would be reviving the death penalty for drug traffickers who continued to orchestrate drug deals while in prison. The last execution was in 1976 and the president’s decision was criticised by human rights groups, the European Union and Anglican bishops. Yet the country’s leading churchman, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo, appeared to support the move, provoking controversy.
