The main Opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has called on the government to review the proposed amendments to the Penal Code related to sexual offences against women.
Addressing the Parliament today, Opposition and SJB Leader MP Sajith Premadasa requested the government to consider revising the proposal to lower the age of capacity to consent to sex from 16 years to 14 years for female minors.
As per the current laws, the Penal Code as amended in 1995 gives the age of 16 years as the age threshold of capacity of a minor under 18 years to give consent to sex.
The Opposition Leader pointed out that there were objections from women-led societies in Sri Lanka over the said proposed amendments to the Penal Code and that the government must consider revising certain amendments.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus has also called for the withdrawal of the Amendments to Chapter 19 of the Penal Code.
In a letter to the Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus requested that the bill gazetted on February 9, 2024, be withdrawn immediately.
The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus said that 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.
The Parliamentary group pointed out that, however, the current proposed amendment to the Penal Code by the Minister of Justice proposed to further lower the age limit to 14 years.
Chair of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, MP Sudarshini Fernandopulle expressed deep concern about the proposed amendment to the said law, Section 364, of the Penal Code and called for its withdrawal.
“It is also requested on behalf of the Caucus to prioritise the protection of women and children and uphold justice for vulnerable populations in Sri Lanka,” she said.
In her letter, MP Fernandopulle further informed that her Caucus is ready to discuss further information or alternative proposals in this regard at any time. (NewsWire)
