Broad talks needed to repeal personal laws: Sabry

• Says Govt. committed to making marriage age 18 for all
• Says personal laws applying to only one community cannot be repealed

Justice Minister Ali Sabry yesterday told Parliament that the Government is committed to making 18 the age of marriage for all Sri Lankans but if personal laws are to be repealed, there has to be a broad discussion on the matter.

“There are many personal laws in the country, including the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act, the Thesawalami Law, and the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act. Personal laws applying to only one community cannot be repealed but if there is a consensus, then all such laws must be repealed,” Sabry said in response to a question raised by MP Aturaliye Ratana Thera.

“If we are to repeal personal laws, then we can have a broad discussion and look at making the changes when the new Constitution is presented,” he said.

Sabry said that last November, he had submitted a Cabinet paper to make the age of marriage for Muslims 18 on par with other communities, as well as to appoint women quazis, and make it mandatory for Muslim women to sign consent at the time of marriage.

“Minors or children should not get married. I firmly believe that those under 18 should not get married. 

But we must also realise that there are many underage mothers in the country, and about 80% of them are from other communities,” he said.

He said the age of marriage in Saudi Arabia has been raised to 18, and it was time to change the law here as well.

“We are talking of one country, one law. The law must be applied equally in spirit and in letter,” he added.