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Law Commission has made contribution towards achieving gender equity - Justice Dr. A.R.B. Amarasinghe

by Nadira Gunatilleke

As far as I know, there has never been any attempt on the part of anyone or any organization to present a comprehensive programme for reform of the laws relating to women.

The Law Commission in press advertisements and in the news media, from time to time, has expressly solicited representations from the public on the identification of areas for reform. The Commission has not received a single statement from any person or any organisation specifically with regard to women's rights, said Member, Constitutional Council and former Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka Dr.A.R.B. Amarasinghe.

He was delivering a lecture on `Law and Gender' at the BMICH, Colombo recently. He said that nevertheless, the Law Commission has made a contribution towards achieving gender equity.

The new Maintenance Act and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act were based on the initiatives of the third schedule of the Land Development Ordinance No.19 of 1935 as amended by Act No.16 of 1969 to remove gender based discrimination may also be mentioned.

Admittedly, reforms have been on an `ad hoc' basis.

They will continue to be so, unless there is a coherent policy based on the answer to a fundamental question; Do we aspire to alter societal outcomes as they vary by gender, or vary differently, to liberate the processes by which individuals make life choices for themselves? he questioned.

"We need to have a clear perception of what good law might look like. In setting about getting a clearer idea, we need to have recourse to several subjects, importantly our common sense", he added.

Chairperson, National Committee on Women (NCW), Ms. Indrani Iriyagolla explained the objectives of the lecture series. Member, NCW, Ms. Kamalini Wijethilaka introduced the guest speaker. Member, NCW, Dr. Sepala Kottegoda delivered the vote of thanks.

Women's Affairs Minister Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake, Buddhasasana, Justice, Law Reform and National Integration Minister W.J.M. Lokubandara, Women's Affairs Ministry Secretary Ms.Kamala Dissanayake and several others were present.

The National Committee on Women (NCW) which is under the purview of the Women's Affairs Ministry was established in 1993 with the intention of upgrading Sri Lankan women's status.

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