Surrogacy In Sri Lanka: Everything You Need To Know

This paradise isle is fast becoming a hub for surrogacy. But, despite there being no laws in place to protect all parties involved, many women still opt to take the chance. Keshini Dunusinghe explores societal pressures and the ethics and legalities of surrogacy in Sri Lanka.

- Keshini Dunusinghe

Thilini, 35, always wanted to have a family, but the struggle was real. She and her husband tried everything to conceive to no avail. After two failed artificial inseminations, a few more failed In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments followed by a list of medical jargon as to why she can’t get pregnant, her doctors advised the couple to consider adoption. But, all she could hear was how she was not good enough to be a mother. Thilini felt ashamed and guilty. Surrounded by pitiful eyes and gossip, her world was falling apart slowly, until she met the girl who agreed to carry their child.

LET’S TALK ABOUT SURROGACY

Surrogacy is a method of assisted reproductive technology where a woman agrees to carry a pregnancy for another couple, who will become the parent(s) of the newborn*. This is often supported by a legal agreement. Depending on the situation, it will include compensation to the surrogate by the intended parents (i.e. Commercial Surrogacy) or it will be purely out of compassion, (i.e. Altruistic Surrogacy) mostly offered by a close friend or relative.

The types of surrogacy

Traditional Surrogacy. The intended male parent’s (or an eligible male donor’s) sperm is used to fertilize the surrogate’s egg. Insemination can happen either naturally (sexual intercourse with the surrogate; mutually agreed by all parties concerned) or artificially (artificial insemination). This will result in the infant being genetically related to both the intended father, as well as the surrogate mother. (If a donor’s sperm is used, the baby is not genetically related to either intended parent).