A statement in response to the Bills proposed affecting Muslim Marriage Law in Sri Lanka We are deeply disappointed that a Bill to repeal the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act of 1951 (MMDA) has been tabled in Parliament by MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana on 8th January 2020. It is claimed that the purpose of the... Continue Reading →
STATEMENT: Future President must prioritise MMDA reforms
JOINT STATEMENT BY: Muslim Personal Law Reform Action Group (MPLRAG) and Hashtag Generation. The Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (1951) of Sri Lanka contains multiple provisions that discriminate against women. One serious discriminatory statement includes explicitly stating that only males can hold the positions of judges in Quazi courts, marriage registrars, jurors and Board of Quazi... Continue Reading →
RELEASE: Joint Cabinet Memorandum on Amendments to the MMDA
On 17th September 2019, MPLRAG representative filed a Right to Information (RTI) request to the Ministry of Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs for an official copy of the joint proposal submitted by the Minister of Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms, on amendments to the Muslim... Continue Reading →
CABINET MINISTERS FAIL TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS MMDA REFORM CONCERNS
MMDA reform is progressing and the fact that the Cabinet of Ministers are engaging with the much needed for reform is a positive step. This momentum has been shadowed by the fact that the reforms proposed are not adequately addressing the issues. In the spirit of continuing to highlight the need for comprehensive and meaningful... Continue Reading →
Update: MUSLIMS MPs CHANGE THEIR PROGRESSIVE POSITIONS ON MMDA REFORM
If changes were to be made to the positions taken on reforms to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act of 1951 (MMDA) by Muslim Members of Parliament on 11th July 2019 it should have been for the betterment of Muslim women and girls. Alarmingly, MPLRAG reliably learns that the document forwarded to the Ministry of... Continue Reading →
Piecemeal reform will perpetuate discrimination and hardship under the MMDA
Following MP Faiszer Musthapha’s statement on July 12, we note the increased attention that the subject of MMDA reform has received. We also note the unprecedented momentum in political will which was long needed to address the discrimination and hardship Muslim women face. According to MP Musthapha, the reforms agreed upon by Muslim politicians cover... Continue Reading →
MMDA reform: Muslim women demand equality & justice
The Muslim women in Sri Lanka have persisted with the struggle to reform MMDA for over three decades. This is despite the repeated and abject failure of the male dominated religious and political leadership within the community to address these grievances that are having serious adverse impact on the everyday lives of women and girls.... Continue Reading →
The antidote to extremism is ensuring equality, rights and freedoms for all.
MPLRAG response to the public conversation on MMDA After the tragic and dastardly Easter Sunday attacks of April 21, Muslim Personal Law Reform Action Group (MPLRAG) issued a statement of condolence and thereafter remained silent in our advocacy for the past month in memory of those who were killed. We wanted to respect and participate... Continue Reading →
Now is the Time for Compassion
Statement by Muslim Personal Law Reform Action Group (MPLRAG). We are truly devastated by the bombings in Batticaloa, Colombo, and Negombo on 21 April 2019. Our hearts go out to those directly affected by this senseless violence. We extend our prayers and thoughts to the Christian and Catholic communities across the country that have experienced... Continue Reading →
Women as Quazis (judges) – Position Paper 2
DOWNLOAD PDF (ENG) - Position Paper 2 - Women as Quazis (Judges) Sinhala and Tamil translations to be added shortly.