In a win for LGBTQ+ rights, the Sri Lanka government are set to decriminalise same-sex relationships.
Back in September, MP Premnath C Dolawatte presented the private member bill to the country’s parliament.
Under the bill, sections 365 and 365A of Sri Lanka’s 1883 penal code would be amended to make same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults legal.
Currently, the country’s colonial-era law classifies same-sex relations as “[acts of] carnal knowledge against the order of nature.” An individual can face up to 10 years in prison and a fine if convicted.
Shortly after the bill was presented, Sri Lanka’s president Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that the government would not take action to block the bill.
However, the political figure added that the bill was required to receive support before it could be submitted for any legislative changes.
After months of work from the bill’s lawmakers, the country’s government announced that it would be moving forward with decriminalising same-sex relationships.
In an interview with Sri Lankan newspaper The Daily Morning, Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry confirmed the news.
“There is a private member bill initiated by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Government MP and attorney Premnath C. Dolawatte,” Sabry said. “The government will support its position of decriminalising same-sex relationships.”
While the government confirmed that same-sex relationships would become legal, same-sex marriage would not be included in the upcoming penal code adjustment.
“We are, however, not legalising same-sex marriages. But we would decriminalise it. I think that there is a lot of consensus for that, so let that come to Parliament.
Since the news was announced, LGBTQ+ activists and groups
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