Capital Punishment as an option

To use or not to use the noose ? This is the question facing Sri Lanka. The issue is by no means a new one but while the country dilly-dallys over the question, the local crime rate is mounting.

While the authorities split hairs over the issue with their "thinking caps" on, Sri Lanka is gaining a steady notoriety among some as a country which is beset with runaway crime. What is the answer to this agonising dilemma: to use or not to use the hangman ?

Right away it must be said that we do not consider the reimposition of Capital Punishment for grave crime, an ideal solution to the problem of mounting crime in this country. Ideally, crime should be contained without the State having to resort to the reimposition of Capital Punishment or the gallows. "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" is no ideal brand of justice.

The principle of a life for a life should not be considered as an answer to crime on account of its adverse "demonstration effect", but while we rack our brains over these do's and dont's , criminals, outlaws, rapists and bandits seem to be almost taking the law into their own hands.

Apparently, our "nice" sentiments over not reinforcing the death sentence are being taken as a sign of weakness by those operating outside the bounds of the law. While sections of the intelligentsia conceal themselves within ever-rising residential walls and pontificate to the State and the people on why Capital Punishment should not be resorted to, Sri Lanka is becoming an increasingly dangerous place to live in.

Ask any "ordinary" man, woman or even child who has to risk exposing him or herself on the highways and byways of Sri Lanka: how safe are you ? How safe are you from parasitic marauders who seem to be on the loose in increasing numbers, who seize every opportunity to swoop on you and prey on you ? Apparently, they are operating in a culture of impunity.

They seem to be taking it for granted that the toughest laws of the land would not be enforced and that even if they are sent behind bars for violent crime and murder, the death sentence which they have rightly earned would never be imposed.

Thus, a climate of impunity has been taking hold. The law is not rigorously imposed, so the parasitic criminal elements in Sri Lanka are growing to monstrous proportions.

It is time to wake-up. We cannot turn a blind eye to crime in Sri Lanka. Lives are being taken, as it were with impunity. The problem of Law's Delays in the country, greatly aids and abets the swarming criminals.

Besides the assurance the criminal has that the gallows would never be his destiny, he could be assured of a long, may be even comfortable stay behind bars or at Death Row at State expense because the wheels of justice move oh so slowly in this country. It is also surprising how those accused of even revolting, violent crimes, such as rape, win bail, seemingly easily.

The State could no longer turn a Nelsonian Eye on this tragic situation. Capital Punishment is in the statute books and it is high time it is used once again as a counter-measure to our terrifyingly rising crime rate. It needs to be viewed as a deterrent measure against grave crime and should not be confused with finer moral issues.

The law must be firmly enforced if progress on the various fronts, we have envisaged, is to take place.

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