Family Law Reform Committee hands over report to Justice Minister Milinda Moragoda

The Committee appointed by the Minister of Justice and Law Reform, Milinda Moragoda, to consider reforms to the Family Law in Sri Lanka, presented its report on Wednesday to the Minister.

The Committee has identified priority areas for reform in the general law and personal law governing family relations in Sri Lanka.

Although the Committee focused on reforms to the general law and Kandyan law they also touched upon some aspects of the Thesawalami and Muslim Personal law as well as interpersonal conflicts of laws arising from a diversity of systems.

The Committee has noted in their preface that laws should try to reflect common legal values relating to the family which is an important institution in Sri Lanka.

The Minister having studied the recommendations of the Committee directed officials of the Ministry of Justice to implement the recommendations in the report at their earliest.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Justice is contemplating setting up a legal information centre for the benefit of litigants, lawyers, academics and other interested parties in order to assist them in obtaining necessary information related to the administration of justice in Sri Lanka.

Members of the Committee included Prof. Savitri Gunasekera (Chairperson), Hon. K.T. Chithrasiri, Judge of the Court of Appeal, Dr. Hiranthi Wijemanne, Consultant, Ministry of Justice and Law Reform, Mr. Nihal Jayamanne, P.C., Mr. Maxwell Bastiansz, Attorney-at-Law, Mrs. Dhara S. Wijayatilake, Secretary, Ministry of Plan Implementation, Prof. Sharya Scharenguivel, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Dr. Neela Gunasekera, Chairperson, National Commission on Women, Dr. Deepika Udagama, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Ms. Rose Wijeratne, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo.

Mrs. Kamalini de Silva, Additional Secretary and Piyumanthi Peiris, Senior Assistant Secretary to the Ministry participated in the event.

- Asian Tribune -