Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the government has not established a timeline to amend laws which target the LGBTQI community, despite the inclusion of such reforms in the National People’s Power (NPP) manifesto.
Sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code titled “unnatural offences” and “acts of gross indecency between persons,” respectively have historically been used to target and harass the LGBTQI community.
The NPP manifesto includes a commitment to repeal Section 365A, which penalizes consensual same-sex conduct. It also pledges to revise other discriminatory laws, including Sections 365 and 365A, which activists say oppress women, children, and marginalized groups.
In 2023, a Private Member’s Bill was introduced by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP and attorney Premnath C. Dolawatte to decriminalize these sections of the Penal Code.
Speaking to Kalindu Karunaratne of Ada Derana, Minister Nanayakkara was asked whether the government has taken any concrete steps to amend these laws.
“There are no steps taken to amend these laws yet. I admit that it is in our manifesto, as we don’t believe that a person should be marginalised due to gender. Our policy remains the same, but we have not come up with a timeline as to when this will be brought,” he said.
Nanayakkara added that while the policy is clear, the government must consider potential public reaction before enacting legislative changes.
“The LGBT community has spoken with me, as has the Human Rights Commissioner of Sri Lanka. My response was that our policy remains unchanged. However, before introducing any legislation, there must be a well-informed and factual public discussion on the issue,” he said.
He said that timing is crucial in politics and that any decision in this regard would ultimately come from the Cabinet.
“The timing is decided by the Cabinet. Therefore I cannot make a statement alone that it will be brought in the next 6 months or so,” Nanayakkara said. (Newswire)