Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa opposed the implementation of the capital punishment, and said that the thinking patterns of the society should be changed to defeat the rising trend of crime.

Speaking at a recent meeting in Padukka, the former President pointed out that the society is losing the respect for moral ethics. This can be seen not only in Sri Lanka but even in countries where death penalty is implemented, he added.

Therefore, there is no guarantee that crimes will be reduced by increasing penalties, Rajapaksa argued.

The issue of implementing the capital punishment came to the forefront recently with several shocking crimes that took place in the country during the past months. UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra proposed the implementation of capital punishment to the Parliament and she was supported by several other MPs. However, there is strong opposition to the proposal from both the UNP and the UPFA in parliament.