Women MPs call for withdrawal of bill seeking to reduce age of consent to 14

23 March 2024 12:00 am

• Currently, the age of consent for a girl is 16
• says ready to discuss further information or alternative proposals in this regard at any time

The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has requested Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to withdraw the bill which, if enacted, will provide for the reduction of the age of consent to 14, a press release from the Parliamentary Media Division said yesterday.

The bill was gazetted on February 9, 2024, to amend Chapter 19 of the Penal Code. Currently, the age of consent for a girl is 16. Any sexual relationship with a 16- year-old girl even with consent is considered statutory rape in terms of the current law. The proposed law seeks to reduce it to 14.

Chair of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus MP Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, MP, who states that she expresses her deep concern about the proposed amendment to section 364 of the Penal Code, informs that the details related to the matters to be concerned about the proposed amendments to section 364 are attached with her letter. 

She said that she requested on behalf of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to withdraw the proposed bill to amend Section 364 of the Penal Code.

Ms. Fernandopulle further informs in her letter that her Caucus is ready to discuss further information or alternative proposals in this regard at any time.