Sri Lanka recognizes UK divorce of British citizens

The Colombo District Court has recognized a mutual divorce granted by a UK Family Court, nullifying the marriage of two UK citizens originally contracted in Sri Lanka.

An application was filed in the Colombo District Court based on a mutual divorce application submitted to the UK Family Courts, where both parties voluntarily sought to dissolve their marriage originally solemnized in Sri Lanka. The UK Family Court, having jurisdiction over matrimonial disputes, issued a final order terminating the marriage in Sri Lanka.

The applicant, a British citizen, referenced a recent decision by the Court of Appeal (CA/Writ/266/2021), citing conditions satisfied as per the court's directives. They petitioned the District Court to recognize the UK Family Court's final order annulling their marriage. Evidence, including confidential access details to the UK judicial proceedings, was submitted to the District Court to verify the UK court's decision through official portals.

The Colombo Additional District Judge Chandima Edirimanna, after reviewing the evidence presented, issued an order recognizing the UK Family Court's final decree annulling the marriage originally registered in Sri Lanka. The judge also directed the Registrar of Marriages accordingly.

Counsel Nishan Sydney Premathiratne and Ishara Jayakodiarachchi appeared for the applicant under the instructions of Gamindu Karunasena.