The Sri Lankan government has officially withdrawn the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, which aimed to lower the consent age for sexual activity to 14 years.
Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe made the announcement in Parliament, stating that the government has decided to retract the bill.
He further assured that a revised amendment, which could garner consensus from all concerned parties, will be presented to Parliament at a later date.
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Minister Rajapakshe revealed that the recommendation to withdraw the bill came from senior President's Counsels, other legal professionals, and experts after conducting a thorough five-year study. The proposed amendment was initially introduced to address a practical dilemma where consensual sexual relationships between adolescents often led to legal complications.
The withdrawal of the bill signifies a shift in government policy on this contentious issue and reflects a commitment to address concerns raised by various stakeholders.
It also opens the door for further dialogue and deliberation to ensure that any future amendment strikes a balance between protecting the rights of adolescents and addressing legal complexities surrounding consensual sexual activity.
