A group of Parliamentarians representing the UNP have decided to seek a Parliamentary debate on the President's decision to sanction death penalty. 

A group consisting of back-benchers of the UNP said they would make an official request to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on a Parliamentary debate. 

However, the decision to sanction death penalty was endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers last week. Both President Maithtipala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were present at the meeting where the decision was made. 

However, there is a strong public outcry in Colombo against the decision made by the government to sanction death penalty. 

It is against this backdrop that the UNPers are seeking a Parliamentary debate over the matter.