July 13, Colombo: The list of names of prisoners sentenced to death for drug trafficking were to be handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday, according to local media reports.

Reports quoting Justice Ministry sources said the list was compiled following a directive issued by the President.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday said that he had decided to sign the death warrant on prisoners sentenced to death on drug offences continuing the drug trafficking racket from their prison cells.

Implementing the death sentence was also discussed at length at the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Prisons Department said discussions would be held shortly with the Justice Ministry for making necessary arrangements to implement the death sentence on convicts.