Thread by @TheGrumpyLankan

Lets talk numbers on Child marriages in #SriLanka

As of 2012, there were a total of 104,176 married citizens (registered & customary) between the ages of 15-19.

Also, 3530 of those married were below 15.

#lka #SriLanka

All figs taken frm National Census of Population 2012.

When looking at gender breakdown, all 3530 married who are below 15 years of age are female.

85,392 of the 104,176 married citizens between ages of 15-19 are female too.

#lka #srilanka

Looking at those married through “Registered Marriage” by Ethnicity.

There were a total of 3204 citizens aged BELOW 15 married this way, out of which 2200 (69%) were of SINHALESE ethnicity. In contrast, only 471 was Sri Lankan Moor.

#lka #srilanka

Also through “Registered Marriage”,

Thr were a total of 87,633 citizens aged between 15 - 19 years married this way, of which 62630 were Sinhalese (71.5%). In contrast, 11,916 (13.6%) were Sri Lankan Moor.

#lka #srilanka

When looking at stats of “Customary Marriage”

There were a total of 326 citizens of age BELOW 15 married this way, out of which 216 are Sinhalese. Only 23 were Sri Lankan Moor.

For age 15 - 19, thr is a total of 16,543, out of which 11,446 are Sinhalese.

#lka #srilanka

As we can see, Sri Lanka does have citizens married below 18 (and officially recorded in the census).

However, an overwhelming majority of them are SINHALESE.

Media & Politicians have gone into overdrive painting a negative image on the Muslims in the country.
#lka #srilanka

The #MMDA needs reform & I too call for amendments to increase the age of marriage.

HOWEVER, within the current frameworks of the law where minimum age is 18, how is it that we have such large number of registered marriages of between 15 - 19 for the Sinhalese?

#lka #srilanka

For those who wish to look at the statistics, refer to :

statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2…

Go to Table A10 & A11 for breakdowns according to age, sex and ethinicity.

#lka #srilanka

One more thing. These numbers do not include those widowed, divorced or separated at the time when the census was taken.

Only those who were considered “married” at the time, be it registered or customary.

#lka #srilanka

Why are there fewer Muslim marriages of below 15 and 15 - 19, despite the provision of MMDA to allow it?

Why are there so many Sinhalese marriages of the same age groups, despite the law prohibiting it? Kandyan law was reformed in 1995 i think.

Appreciate help.
#lka #srilanka