Govt. approves to revise Penal Code relate to statutory rape

The Government today approved the proposal to revise the provisions of the Penal Code under section 363 relating to statutory rape.

While addressing the weekly cabinet briefing, Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the Penal Code under section 363 makes rape a serious offence and the Penal Code also provides information on the specific offences that fall under that offence. 

However, he said there is a contradiction in the law regarding statutory rape. A study conducted by the Sri Lanka Medical Law Association has also pointed out the need for revising the provisions of the Penal Code relating to statutory rape.

The proposal in connection with this matter was presented by the Justice Minister and instructed the legal draftsman to draft amendments to the Penal Code to suit the present circumstances, the spokesman added.