The report is a publication by UNICEF Sri Lanka in July 2013. The study explores the interface and connection between statutory rape and early marriage in selected districts in Sri Lanka. The study also looks at the social and cultural dimensions of early marriage, its causes, trends and impact. Though child marriages involve young boys it is invariably the young girls who are forced at a very early age when they are incapable of expressing consent. The first regulatory controls introduced in Sri Lanka were during the 19th century setting a minimum age of marriage. The study completed 71 case studies and 81 in-depth interviews. Additionally, newspaper reports from selected national newspapers in Sinhala and English were also analyzed. Some of the key findings include lack of proper understanding of judicial procedures and punitive measures available for forced child marriages. Further, rise in statutory rape where 46 of the 71 case studies were such stories. Reporting of incidents of early marriages and statutory rape have also been inconsistent. Some of the incidents have come to attention due to health authorities screening pregnant girls who sought medical attention. The study concludes that the impact of early marriage affects girls rather than boys and reflects gender biases and discriminatory issues. Further recommendations have been made to tackle the issue.