Sri Lanka, March 24 -- The government's proposed amendment to Chapter 19 of the Penal Code, aimed at revising the age of consent for girls in sexual relations, is set to be withdrawn, announced Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reform Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

The proposed amendment, gazetted on 09 February 2024, sought to modify the existing legislation established in 1995. Under the current law, any sexual activity involving a victim under 16 years of age, even if consensual, is considered rape. The Justice Minister's proposed amendment aimed to lower the age of sexual consent to 14 years.

However, addressing the media after an event in Colombo today (23), Minister Rajapakshe revealed that he has decided to withdraw...