COLOMBO : Faiszer Musthapha PC, Member of Parliament and President’s Counsel, officially handed over two pivotal Private Member Bills to the Secretary General of Parliament, Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera on on Thursday, Feb. 5
The bills aim to address persistent gaps in personal laws that affect the fundamental rights and dignity of citizens, particularly women and children.
- Dissolution of Marriages on the Ground of Irretrievable Breakdown Bill
This bill seeks to amend the Marriage Registration Ordinance and the Civil Procedure Code. It introduces “irretrievable breakdown” —a state where no reasonable possibility exists for restoring a normal marriage—as a legal ground for divorce. It also establishes a clear procedure for divorce by mutual consent and ensures the protection of rights regarding property division, maintenance, and the custody of minor children. - Muslim Marriage and Divorce (Amendment) Bill
This bill proposes six progressive reforms to the Act of 1951. Key highlights include:
- Setting 18 years as the standard minimum age for marriage.
- Mandating the bride’s signature on marriage registers to ensure informed consent.
- Removing gender barriers to allow qualified women to serve as Quazis.
- Requiring newly appointed Quazis to be Attorneys-at-Law and allowing legal representation in Quazi Courts.
- Transferring maintenance claims to Magistrate’s Courts for legal consistency.
Faiszer Musthapha PC noted that these reforms align Sri Lankan law with contemporary international standards while respecting local legal traditions.
