Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus expresses concern on reducing consent age for sex

22 March 2024 03:10 pm - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Parliament, March 22 (Daily Mirror)- The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has requested Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to take steps to withdraw the bill gazetted to amend Chapter 19 of the Penal Code which seeks to reduce the consent age for sex to 14.

"According to the amendments made to the Penal Code in 1995, even if a girl under 16 years of age has sexual relations of her own free will, it is considered rape and the proposed amendment to the Penal Code by the Minister of Justice will lower the age limit to 14 years," the Caucus said.

The Chair of the Women Parliamentarians' Caucus Sudarshini Fernandopulle said that she requested on behalf of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to withdraw the proposed bill to amend Section 364 of the Penal Code.

She also requested to prioritise the protection of women and children and uphold the justice for vulnerable population in Sri Lanka.

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.

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Comments - 12

Priest Friday, 22 March 2024 03:23 PM

No, never reduce the consent age. On the other hand it has to be raised up to 18.

18years will be ideal for SL Saturday, 23 March 2024 06:34 AM

Yes, agree with you totally. With social media these days, Youngsters are easily corrupted and confused. Most Asian countries practice 18years for consent.

Wickremasinghe Friday, 22 March 2024 03:52 PM

Wonder of Asia. Sri Lankan politicians have gone nuts.

Sokrates Friday, 22 March 2024 03:53 PM

Although children in Sri Lanka are allowed to do everything, as teenagers and young adults they are harassed by the state and their parents. They are told what kind of clothing they have to wear to school or what haircut they have to wear. They are not allowed to freely choose a religion. They have to accompany their parents to functions, for example funerals, even though they don't want to. They are forced into university studies whose subject matter does not interest them at all and they are forced into marriages, even if they are homosexual or do not want to marry. In such forced marriages, they are assigned partners they don't like at all and are then expected to produce offspring, even if this is not wanted. Young people who want to work in my company first have to ask their housepeople whether they agree. Now Parliament wants to grant them a little more sexual self-determination and that too should be prevented.

Ari Friday, 22 March 2024 05:16 PM

Why bother, we are all screwed because of our successive governments.

Nikini J Friday, 22 March 2024 09:18 PM

It seems Mr Alli Subry had other ideas to use this amendment to legalize statutory rape happening under the pretext of religious books.

Kulesh Friday, 22 March 2024 09:41 PM

It should be raised not lowered. Raise it to 18 the legal age for voting (and understanding).

Udaya Friday, 22 March 2024 09:42 PM

Trying to become a Bangkok?

Parents Friday, 22 March 2024 10:41 PM

Trying to promote prostitution?? Raise it to 18, at least. A 14 year old is still a child going to school! Have these people gone completely MAD??

Roisin Friday, 22 March 2024 10:48 PM

In developed Western countries women and children are protected by law. In Middle East countries women and girls have no rights, like in Sri Lanka they get easily abused and taken advantage of. At the age of 14 a girl (and boy)are still children. Especially in Sri Lanka, these kids are so ignorant and childish, because they get no sexeducation and girls are very insecure. They are very vulnerable.

K. Andersson Saturday, 23 March 2024 02:08 AM

Who is the nut that brought this proposel in the first place?

Neel gamage Saturday, 23 March 2024 12:31 PM

Any beside all the facts we have to remind the our valuables reads the photo appears hear that Dr.S.Fernando pulle who she was supported to our KR ( who is in remaind ) at impeachment recently .As a doctor who she has studied with tax payers money and voted against the people's safe and proper health system.

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Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus expresses concern on reducing consent age for sex

Comments - 12

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