In March 1999, after spurts of violence near the end of her first term in office, Chandrika Kumaratunga stated that the government would be reintroducing the death penalty. However, she was forced to back down in the face of overwhelming public protest.
In March 1999, following episodes of violence at the conclusion of her initial term in office, Chandrika Kumaratunga declared that the government would reinstate the death penalty. Nevertheless, she was forced to abandon this plan in light of strong public outcry.