Justice Minister, President’s Counsel Ali Sabry pledged to prevent Muslim child marriages and vowed to create an environment where all can live together irrespective of race or religion.
He made this statement after receiving blessings from Prelates of the Malwatte Chapter Chief Prelate Most Ven.Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala, Asgiri Chapter Chief Prelate Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana thera and the Ramanna Nikaya Chief Prelate Most Ven. Napana Pemasiri Thera on August 29.
Minister Sabry said that representatives of Muslim women’s organizations had discussed the issue with him and he said he too was of the view that child marriages should be stopped.
Speaking to the media, the Minister said action has been taken to obtain views of the Maha Sangha and to inform them of the changes to be made in the Judiciary and the new amendments to be made and sought their advice as Justice Minister.
Minister Sabry said that the Chief Incumbents had expressed their views on the establishment of a separate court to hear cases pending against monks and those discussions would be held soon.
The Minister said the 19th Amendment to the Constitution will be repealed and the 20th Amendment will be introduced soon and a new Constitution will be introduced later. He said the government is taking action to create a country free from the menace of corruption.
Responding to a question raised by a journalist as to whether action would be taken to repeal the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, the Minister said that the matter had not been discussed in the Cabinet.
The Justice Minister said the amendment to the Constitution will be passed after obtaining views of all parties.The Minister said there were many challenges that they will have to overcome.