Justice Minister, end your homophobia

During his official visit to Sri Lanka, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk welcomed proposed legislation to decriminalise same-sex relations. Although he may have erred on a technical detail—assuming the bill remains before Parliament even after its dissolution—his larger point was indisputably valid. The law in question, embedded in Sri Lanka’s Penal Code since 1884 under British colonial rule, is an archaic, unjust relic of a bygone era. It has no place in a modern, democratic society.

Sri Lanka’s legal stance on same-sex relations is not just outdated but is also centuries behind the arc of progress. While nations across the world have moved forward, and many in our own region, including India, have taken bold and affirming steps toward equality, Sri Lanka continues to criminalise consensual relationships between adults based on sexual orientation. In fact, in 2024, Thailand, home to the world’s largest Buddhist population, and the source of Sri Lanka’s Theravada orthodoxy, became the first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage. That monumental shift only highlights how deeply regressive Sri Lanka’s position remains.

It is important to remember that laws are not merely words on paper; they shape lives, attitudes, and entire societies. The continued criminalisation of same-sex relations fosters stigma, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. It tells a segment of our population that they are lesser, illegal, and undeserving of dignity. That is not just a legal injustice but a moral failure.

The vehement denial by Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister to Türk’s statement of any intention to move forward with reform in this area was both surprising and deeply disappointing. For a Government that has pledged to champion equality, and progressive values, this refusal to even entertain a discussion on repealing a colonial-era law is nothing short of a betrayal.

However, there is reason for hope. The current administration, led by President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, came to power on a platform that promised a new, progressive social contract. They campaigned on a promise to modernise Sri Lanka, not just economically but socially. On this issue, they have both the political capital and the moral authority to act decisively. Now is the moment to show courage—to prove that their values are not just slogans, but principles they are willing to uphold, even when it is politically inconvenient.

There will no doubt be malicious voices and conservative resistance. That is inevitable with any change that challenges entrenched norms. But history is clear on this: the arc of justice bends toward equality. When future generations look back, they will not remember the critics who tried to stand in the way—they will remember the leaders who chose to do the right thing.

Decriminalising same-sex relations is not about importing foreign values or threatening cultural identity. It is about recognising the basic human dignity of all Sri Lankans. It is about understanding that love, in all its forms, should never be criminalised. And it is about shedding colonial baggage that continues to shackle us to prejudices that no longer serve our nation.

The previous private member’s bill may no longer be on the order paper, but the issue remains urgent and unresolved. The new Government has a clear opportunity to reintroduce and support legislation that will bring Sri Lanka closer to the values of equality, justice, and human dignity.