Sri Lanka, Aug. 28 -- The Colombo District Court has recently delivered a judgement permitting the adoption of an 18-year-old girl, citing special and compelling circumstances.

Under the Adoption Ordinance No. 24 of 1941, adoption is ordinarily allowed only if the child is under 14 years. Additionally, if the child is over 10 years, the child's consent is required.

In this case, District Court Judge Chandima Edirimanna ruled in favour of the adoption taking into consideration the facts and evidence placed before Court.

In this case, the adopting party, the first petitioner, is married to the biological mother of the girl. However, a legal obstacle arose under Section 3(1) of the Ordinance,

which requires at least a 21-year age gap bet...