Sri Lanka hangman hunt after gallows scare off executioner
(AFP) – 5 days ago
Colombo — British and Australian nationals have volunteered to be Sri Lanka's next executioner after the most recent hangman fled in panic when he saw the gallows, a prison official said Friday.
Commissioner-General of Prisons Chandrarathna Pallegama said he has received e-mails from two Britons and three Australians offering their services -- some for just the price of board and lodging in the prison.
"They have not given details of their current employment status," Pallegama told AFP, adding he was surprised by the interest foreigners had shown for a job that pays just $85 a month.
"They all appear to be very keen to take the job. Some would do it for food and accommodation in the prison."
The most recent executioner abandoned his post last week after coming face-to-face for the first time with the gallows where the last hanging was carried out in 1976, Pallegama said.
"He was scared and fled in panic," Pallegama said. "But I want to make it very clear that our law does not allow me to employ foreigners in any capacity at the prison."
Prison authorities hired two executioners last year. Both quit after a few months even though neither had to carry out a hanging, but they were required to carry out menial office jobs.
Pallegama said officials had stepped up a search for a hangman following increasing calls to end a de facto 38-year-old moratorium on hangings following an increase in big crimes.
No comments:
Post a Comment