The Grassrooted Trust has issued a statement outlining what it described as factual clarifications in response to allegations made against the organization in Parliament.
The statement referred to the recent controversy involving an inappropriate weblink included in a Grade 6 English curriculum review, saying accountability for that issue should not be used to undermine broader education reform efforts.
“The lack of accountability by the National Institute of Education, which clearly failed in their English curriculum review process by including an inappropriate weblink that would have potentially harmed the psyche of students in Grade 6, should not be weaponized against efforts by this government to bring in substantive education reform that is [hopefully] based on the
input of experts in the field of 21st century evidence-based pedagogy,” the statement said.
It added that politicization of such issues negatively affects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, non-binary and asexual Sri Lankans, particularly in areas such as employment, housing and education.
Addressing claims related to its associations, the Trust said it worked briefly in 2019 with Think Equal, an organization founded by filmmaker Leslee Udwin. The collaboration, it said, focused on supporting the rollout of a preschool programme titled Sanwedi, aimed at promoting social and emotional learning in selected preschools in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province. The Trust noted that Think Equal later exited Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic due to budgetary constraints.
The organization said that it has not been involved in the current government’s education reform process and said this can be independently verified. It added that it continues to advocate for age-appropriate approaches to comprehensive sexuality education, referencing technical guidance issued by UNESCO. The Trust said it commonly uses the term “relationship education” in the local context, emphasizing respect, consent, empathy, trust and informed decision-making.
The statement further said the Trust is committed to supporting survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Sri Lanka, including individuals of non-heteronormative sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics.
Responding to allegations regarding funding, the Trust said it is not a funding agency and has not provided financial support to any organization, including the Dabindu Collective. It described its role as a resource point on sexual and reproductive health and rights, prevention of sexual and gender-based violence, including online abuse, and child protection, working with a range of community-based organizations, educational institutions, trade unions, corporate entities and government bodies.
According to the statement, the Trust also shares evidence-based scientific information, including positions that homosexuality is not a mental illness, as recognized by international psychiatric bodies and the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists. It added that it provides historical and cultural context to counter claims that non-heteronormative identities are a Western import.
The Grassrooted Trust reiterated its support for calls made by the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists to decriminalize Sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code, which criminalize same-sex relationships between consenting adults. It noted its support for a private member’s bill presented in April 2023 and welcomed the May 2023 determination by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka that repealing these provisions would not violate the Constitution.
The Grassrooted Trust said it will continue to operate in line with its stated core principles of respect, kindness, joy and peace. (Newswire)