Birth Registration

Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka Birth Registration Universal Registration

Universal Registration

Universal and Compulsory Coverage

Is birth registration available and compulsory for all births occurring within the country's jurisdiction?

Yes

Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines

The law should provide that registration is available to, and compulsory for, all births occuring in every geographical area and for every population group in the country. Examples of possible discriminations are: sex; race ethnicity, religion or population group; marital status; nationality, citizenship, residency or regugee/asylum status; or any other characteristic such as prisoners or persons with disabilities

All births that occur in the country – including births to refugees, undocumented migrants, internally displaced persons, stateless persons, persons of undetermined nationality and members of nomadic peoples – must be registered in the civil registration system. Where necessary, legislation should include specific provisions to guarantee the registration of these populations regardless of whether the person has legal residency status.

Law Source
UN Principles and Recommendations for a Vital Statistics System para 34
UNGOLF para 219
UNGOLF para 299

Sri Lanka Legal Analysis

It is the duty of every registrar to inform himself carefully of every birth occurring in his division, and to register accurately in the birth register, all particulars set out in Form A (Birth Registration). The particulars set out in Form A are almost identical to forms in practice (Form B1), except the father's rank/profession is no longer required information. There is no discrimination in the law and birth registration is available for all births in each division of Sri Lanka.

Law Source
Births and Deaths Registration Act Section 10.1
Form B1

Is birth registration available for children born to citizens residing abroad?

Yes

Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines

When a child is born to parents who are residing outside their country of citizenship, the country in which the birth occurred has an obligation to register the birth and issue a birth certificate. While the home country of the parents will not issue a new birth certificate, there should be a process by which the parents report the birth to the parents’ home country. This is important for purposes of establishing citizenship and receiving a passport for the child. The legislation should provide a process for citizens temporarily residing abroad to report the birth of a child to the registrar (or the passport agency). This is usually facilitated by a country’s embassies and consulates.
Law Source
UNGOLF para 296
Children's Rights

Sri Lanka Legal Analysis

In cases where person qualified to make declaration to register birth is outside Sri Lanka, the person is empowered as declarant to submit declaration of birth before any consular or diplomatic representative of Sri Lanka.
Law Source
Births and Deaths Registration Act Section 61

Definition

Does the law provide a clear definition of live birth? If yes, does the definition accord with international guidelines?

Yes live birth is defined by law and accords with international guidelines

Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines

The provision of clear definitions in the law is an important tool to ensure the continuous and permanent recording of vital events in all areas. Live birth is defined as "The complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, which, after such separation, breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or any definite movement of voluntary muscles, whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached."
Law Source
UN Handbook para 9
ICD-11 Reference Guide

Sri Lanka Legal Analysis

The law defines birth as "...a product of conception which, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, after complete expulsion or extraction from his mother, breaths or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached"
Law Source
Births and Deaths Registration Act Section 70