The Ministry of Women, Child Affairs, and Social Empowerment plans to repeal the current Prevention of Domestic Violence Act to introduce a new act addressing its shortcomings.
Kumudu Perera, Legal Officer at the Women, Child Affairs, and Social Empowerment Ministry, stated that they decided to repeal the existing Act No.34 of 2005 and introduce a new act with amendments to fill gaps in the previous law.
"The changes aim to enhance the law by allowing any concerned party to report domestic violence," Perera explained. "Further amendments include waiving stamp fees for victims accessing court and broadening the definition of violence to include economic and psychological aspects."
"The new law will prioritize counseling with the consent of involved parties," she added.
Perera highlighted the need for a new act to avoid confusion and improve implementation in the domestic sphere, as requested by the President.
Cabinet approval has been obtained to draft the new act, aligning with recent legislative initiatives like the Women’s Empowerment Bill and the Gender Equality Bill.
