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Muslim marriage reform should not be a trade offer
View(s):A Cabinet sub-committee will be appointed to make proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers regarding suitable amendments to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA), the government said last week.
The new committee is to examine provisions in the Muslim law, including the minimum age of marriage, which is believed to be in contravention to the norms of the international conventions which Sri Lanka is a member. Currently the minimum age of marriage for Muslim girls is 12 years.
The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL), while welcoming the decision to appoint a committee to reform the MMDA, said it is disturbed that government’s stance is driven by a desire to regain the GSP Plus trade concession from the European Union (EU).
Minister, Law and Order Sagala Ratnayake said reforms to Muslim marriage laws had to be enacted as a condition to regain the GSP Plus concessions.
The MCSL said it was in agreement to amend the laws but that this should be done in consultation with Muslim religious leaders and the Muslim community in Sri Lanka and not at the behest of the EU or the international community. “This could make irreparable damage to co-existence in Sri Lanka,” the release said.
Meanwhile, a four-member delegation from the European Parliament arrived here tomorrow to discuss national reconciliation and greater empowerment to women politically and economically and will examine the groundwork laid by Sri Lanka to regain its GSP Plus facility.