Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Speaker of Parliament endorsed the certificate on the Youthful Offenders (Training schools) (Amendment)bill and the Penal Code
(Amendment) bill recently (26). The two Bills were taken up for debate in Parliament on the 21 st October.

The Youthful Offenders (Training Schools) (Amendment) Bill aims at amending the age limit previously established as below 18 to age between 18-22. The Bill also amends for the purpose of being gender neutral.

The amendment to the Penal Code establishes provisions to replace the verdict of death sentence being given to minors replacing it with custodial sentences.

Accordingly, the Youthful Offenders (Training Schools) (Amendment) Act No. 24 of 2021 and the Penal Code (Amendment) Act No. 25 of 2021 came into effect from 26 th