The Cabinet yesterday approved a proposal to provide alternatives to marriage and divorce for members of the Muslim community under the same common law governing the marriage and divorce of Sri Lankan citizens.
Justice Minister Ali Sabri has submitted the proposal to the Cabinet.
The media statement issued by the Cabinet Office in this regard is as follows.
Article 12 of the Constitution provides that no citizen shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, religion, language, caste, gender, political opinion or place of birth or for any other reason. However, scholars of various women’s organizations, the Muslim community and Muslim law have pointed out the need to remove such provisions from the law, as the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, which governs Muslim marriages and divorces, contains certain provisions that discriminate against women. Therefore, under the common law governing the marriage and divorce of the citizens of Sri Lanka, it seems appropriate to give the members of the Muslim community the opportunity to control marriage and divorce as well. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Minister of Justice, to proceed with the relevant activities, in order to amend the procedure relating to marital proceedings contained in the Code of Civil Procedure and the Code of Civil Procedure related to marital litigation so that they can be governed under that Ordinance, if a Muslim intends to marry under the Marriage Registration Ordinance was approved by the Cabinet. Cabinet approves an alternative to Muslim marriages under common law.
