Statement regarding proposed amendments to the abortion law - Sri Lanka Safe Abortion Coalition (SLSAC), March 2025
The Sri Lanka Safe Abortion Coalition (SLSAC) welcomes the news that a legal framework is being drafted to allow for the termination of pregnancies in specific circumstances. We understand that the proposed framework is currently limited to allowing for women to terminate pregnancies with unviable foetal abnormalities. In a country with one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world(1), introduced by the British in 1883, this is an opportunity to recognize women’s bodily autonomy and her right to equality, dignity, and choice.
Attempts to reform Sri Lanka’s draconian abortion law have been made repeatedly over the decades—most recently in 2022, 2017, and 2012—without success.(2) We welcome the initiative taken by the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, and the Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in putting forward this framework, and for once again raising the issue of safe abortion (though for limited circumstances). We support the proposal put forward, while continuing our advocacy for the full decriminalisation and legalisation of abortion in recognition of women’s reproductive autonomy.
We are optimistic that under the new government these reforms will be successful. We especially note that the government has pledged its commitment in the National People's Power (NPP) manifesto of August 2024, “A thriving nation, a beautiful life” as follows: Implementing the Law Commission’s 2012 recommendations to ensure safe termination of pregnancy (pg 44). The 2012 recommendations call for allowing termination of pregnancies on two specific grounds: in the case of rape, and the case of serious foetal impairment. However, these recommendations remain deeply inadequate, as the vast majority of women seeking abortions in Sri Lanka do so for reasons outside these limited exceptions. These proposals do not provide a safe and dignified option for women who wish to terminate their pregnancies for other reasons.
We are particularly alarmed by the lack of consultation with women’s rights groups and representatives in this reform process. As civil society representatives who have been advocating for women’s right to safe and legal abortions for over three decades, we are disappointed at this serious omission. We also note with concern that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs is not part of the current reform conversation. We wish to highlight that the decision to terminate pregnancies should not exclude the individuals whose consent is required for such procedures, and who should remain the primary decision-makers in this process. A woman’s right to decide about her body is central to this conversation.
The position of campaigning for the decriminalisation of abortion is not a moral position, nor is it merely a medical decision – it is simply a position that centres the decision-making power of women and sees the need to reform outdated, colonial legislation, so that women’s rights and autonomy are guaranteed in full. Thus far, the State has also failed to study, understand, and maintain data that would be crucial for this policy decision.
As a Coalition of women’s rights activists and organizations:
We urge the State to include women’s representatives, women’s rights organisations and safe abortion advocates in all discussions regarding legal amendments to the abortion law, recognizing that this law predominantly impacts women.
We urge the State to promote, protect and fulfil all the rights of all women, including the right to autonomously make decisions with regards to her own body, health and wellbeing and draw the State’s attention to its obligations under the International Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which observed that Sri Lanka must “As a matter of priority, legalize and decriminalize abortion in all cases and, in the interim, remove judicial authorization requirements, restrictive time limits and other barriers for girls to access free, legal and safe abortion, particularly in cases of rape.”
We urge the State strongly, to move forward with the amendments proposed by CCPSL, SLCP and SLCOG; and to continue to work with public health officials, women’s rights advocates, medical professions, and psychological-support experts to decriminalise abortion without limitation, and provide women the right and access to safe and legal abortion services.
(1) See Penal Code Section 303-307
(2) Back to Square One: Attempted Legal Amendments and Abortion Practices in Sri Lanka. https://www.fpasrilanka.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/back_to_square_one_attempted_legal_amendments_and_abortion_practice_in_sl.pdf
The Sri Lanka Safe Abortion Coalition (SLSAC) welcomes the news that a legal framework is being drafted to allow for the termination of pregnancies in specific circumstances. We understand that the proposed framework is currently limited to allowing for women to terminate pregnancies with unviable foetal abnormalities. In a country with one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world(1), introduced by the British in 1883, this is an opportunity to recognize women’s bodily autonomy and her right to equality, dignity, and choice.
Attempts to reform Sri Lanka’s draconian abortion law have been made repeatedly over the decades—most recently in 2022, 2017, and 2012—without success.(2) We welcome the initiative taken by the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, and the Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in putting forward this framework, and for once again raising the issue of safe abortion (though for limited circumstances). We support the proposal put forward, while continuing our advocacy for the full decriminalisation and legalisation of abortion in recognition of women’s reproductive autonomy.
We are optimistic that under the new government these reforms will be successful. We especially note that the government has pledged its commitment in the National People's Power (NPP) manifesto of August 2024, “A thriving nation, a beautiful life” as follows: Implementing the Law Commission’s 2012 recommendations to ensure safe termination of pregnancy (pg 44). The 2012 recommendations call for allowing termination of pregnancies on two specific grounds: in the case of rape, and the case of serious foetal impairment. However, these recommendations remain deeply inadequate, as the vast majority of women seeking abortions in Sri Lanka do so for reasons outside these limited exceptions. These proposals do not provide a safe and dignified option for women who wish to terminate their pregnancies for other reasons.
We are particularly alarmed by the lack of consultation with women’s rights groups and representatives in this reform process. As civil society representatives who have been advocating for women’s right to safe and legal abortions for over three decades, we are disappointed at this serious omission. We also note with concern that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs is not part of the current reform conversation. We wish to highlight that the decision to terminate pregnancies should not exclude the individuals whose consent is required for such procedures, and who should remain the primary decision-makers in this process. A woman’s right to decide about her body is central to this conversation.
The position of campaigning for the decriminalisation of abortion is not a moral position, nor is it merely a medical decision – it is simply a position that centres the decision-making power of women and sees the need to reform outdated, colonial legislation, so that women’s rights and autonomy are guaranteed in full. Thus far, the State has also failed to study, understand, and maintain data that would be crucial for this policy decision.
As a Coalition of women’s rights activists and organizations:
We urge the State to include women’s representatives, women’s rights organisations and safe abortion advocates in all discussions regarding legal amendments to the abortion law, recognizing that this law predominantly impacts women.
We urge the State to promote, protect and fulfil all the rights of all women, including the right to autonomously make decisions with regards to her own body, health and wellbeing and draw the State’s attention to its obligations under the International Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which observed that Sri Lanka must “As a matter of priority, legalize and decriminalize abortion in all cases and, in the interim, remove judicial authorization requirements, restrictive time limits and other barriers for girls to access free, legal and safe abortion, particularly in cases of rape.”
We urge the State strongly, to move forward with the amendments proposed by CCPSL, SLCP and SLCOG; and to continue to work with public health officials, women’s rights advocates, medical professions, and psychological-support experts to decriminalise abortion without limitation, and provide women the right and access to safe and legal abortion services.
(1) See Penal Code Section 303-307
(2) Back to Square One: Attempted Legal Amendments and Abortion Practices in Sri Lanka. https://www.fpasrilanka.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/back_to_square_one_attempted_legal_amendments_and_abortion_practice_in_sl.pdf