Minimum age of criminal responsibility raised to 12 years

Cabinet has given approval to amend the Penal Code to change the minimum age for criminal responsibility from the current age of eight to 12 years. The proposal in this regard was submitted by Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe. 

Furthermore, in case the child is between 12 and 14 years an amendment would be introduced whereby the Magistrate would be conferred the discretion to determine whether such child has the required degree of maturity to form the requisite intent or to entertain requisite knowledge of the offence. 

The decision has been taken as psychologists and other experts have opined that eight years is far too young an age at which to incur criminal responsibility. 

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