The government of Sri Lanka has revealed that hundreds of prisoners remain on death row, underscoring the continuing weight of capital punishment within the country’s criminal justice system. According to a 2025 progress report issued by the Ministry of Justice and National Unity, a total of 817 local and foreign inmates sentenced to death are currently being held in prisons.
The report states that as of September 30, 2025, 811 of those condemned prisoners are Sri Lankan nationals. Among them are 792 men and 19 women, reflecting a significant gender disparity in capital convictions. In addition, five foreign nationals are on death row, while one prisoner categorized under terrorism-related offenses has also received the death sentence.
Officials noted that alongside those awaiting execution, 73 inmates are presently serving life sentences, indicating the continued reliance on the harshest penalties available under Sri Lankan law for grave crimes.
Public attention on sentencing has intensified following a recent ruling connected to the killing of former parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his security guard. A three-judge bench of the Gampaha High Court sentenced 12 defendants to death after finding them guilty of assault and murder, in a decision that has renewed debate over justice, accountability, and the future application of capital punishment in the country.
