Registrar who was instrumental in signing for 39 marriages ... to commemorate 39th birthday

Registrar who was instrumental in signing for 39 marriages ... to commemorate 39th birthday

News of a marriage registrar is heard of from Yatiyanthota where he has searched for 39 couples who were enjoying a familied life without being married in order to celebrate his thirty ninth birthday. He is Mr. T.V. Sumedha Rathnapala, registrar of births and deaths of Megodapatha Patthuwa and marriage registrar of three korals and Pahatha Bulathgama. 

These marriages were signed for in the presence of Mr. Chandrasiri Bandara the Kegalle government agent and district registrar, Mrs. Hasala Sahasiri. Marriage customs, a lunch and all other related
activities had been organised within the registrar's office. Among the 39 couples who entered marriage, there were Tamil nationals associated with the estate sector as well as Sinhalese nationals. Further among them were unmarried individuals having grandchildren and these individuals were over 60 - 70 years too. 

Kegalle government agent, Mr. Chandrasiri Bandara who attended this occasion where 39 couples were wedded, had this to say: "This is a problem faced all over Kegalle district. I am very pleased with the effort taken by Mr. Sumedha. I consider this as a significant matter of national importance because this is something of benefit to the future generation as such".

Mrs. Hasala Sahasiri, Kegalle lands and district registrar said, "According to the situation in the country this is a document which provides legal recognition of a child as well as offering protection to a woman. We have seen occasions where ownership of property cannot be proved. This then is a social welfare service". 

Mr. Sumedha, the registrar who pioneered this activity said, "The marriage certificate is one of the 3 important documents of a human. There are many people still in this country where they live a familied life without being married. In most cases, those who are able and have the necessity obtain the marriage certificate. It is to celebrate my 39th wedding anniversary that I brought together 39 couples who think that they have no knowledge, no ability and/or to carry out this activity. Some communities think that tying the thali according to tradition denotes a legal marriage. A customary marriage in the presence of a god is simply a traditional matter". 

Member of parliament, Sujith Sanjaya Perera, former minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, H.R. Mithrapala, provincial council member, Ajith shaminda, Wathsala Janadari, Madduma Bandara Ranasingha, Roshan Avantha including provincial council members and a number of other invitees participated on this occasion. 

Tharinda Rathnayaka -- Kithulgala