Proposals to revised the age of marriage

Women Parliamentarians' Association Proposes Unified Marriage Age Limit in Sri Lanka

The proposal was discussed during a forum led by Chairperson Minister Saroja Paul Raj, where parliamentarians focused on preparing the action plan for the Tenth Parliament.

The primary objective of this initiative is to define the term "child" accurately and ensure that marriage laws align with this definition. Minister Raj emphasized the need for a revised, common marriageable age across Sri Lanka to safeguard the rights of all individuals.

In a bid to refine the proposed changes, the forum suggested seeking feedback from civil society groups before finalizing the recommendations. Female members of Parliament also stressed the importance of legislative amendments to better protect children’s rights and establish a more consistent legal framework for marriage.

The move is seen as part of a broader effort to enhance gender equality and child protection laws in the country.