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, after periods of violence near the end of her first term in office, Chandrika Kumaratunga announced that the government would be reintroducing capital punishment. However, she was compelled to withdraw due to widespread public opposition.