No change in age limit for marriages

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne yesterday refuted public claims that the Government has reduced the age limit for marriages to 15 years and directed the Registrars of Marriages countrywide to abide by the existing age limit.

Minister Seneviratne told the Sunday Observer that the issue of reducing the marriageable age had been discussed at public fora and by social service organisations during his brief sojourn abroad last week.

When he was the Minister of Justice several years ago he had proposed to reduce the age limit for local marriages from 18 to 15 years saying that it was a social need.

Although Cabinet approval was obtained for the proposal, it was not implemented due to strong opposition by women’s organisations.Minister Seneviratne said he was obliged to make this proposal following complaints by some parents that their children enter marriage, at young ages.

These young marriages are a common feature today, especially in villages and communities such as gypsies.