Issued on February 13, 2024, the amendment bill aimed to modify Sections 19, 363, and 364 of the Penal Code. This amendment proposed a reduction in the age of consent for minor girls from 16 to 14 and a decrease in the sentencing for male offenders under 22. Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksa conveyed his decision to halt the progression of the draft, which initially sought to consolidate male and female rape offences into a single section.
Mr. Wijayadasa Rajapaksa assured that he would formally inform the Parliament about his intention to retract the draft. Subsequently, opposition leader Mr Sajith Premadasa urged the ruling party in parliament to withdraw the bill during the preceding week.
