The Commissioner of Prisons has shortlisted 18 names of Prisoners who were involved in drug related offences pending death sentence. 

The name list has been sent to the Justice Ministry to be forwarded to the Presidential Secretariat. 

President Maithripala Sirisena is expected to sanction death penalty for them, according to a decision made by the Cabinet last week. 

The Prisons Department is also in the process of recruiting two hangmen who will execute the prisoners at the Welikada prison.