By: Isuru Parakrama
June 21, Colombo (LNW): Members of the European Parliament have reportedly expressed their gratitude in the efforts put in place by Sri Lanka to decrminalise consensual same-sex conduct between adults.
During a social media discussion between EU Parliament member Lukas Sieper and Sri Lankan human rights activist Kaushal Ranasinghe two days ago (19), the German lawmaker disclosed that the European Parliament is closely observing laws detrimental to the people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions living in Sri Lanka.
The international community was observant of the movement by the people of Sri Lanka in 2022 against corruption, theft and nepotistic governance, Sieper went on, emphasising that the European Parliament is hopeful of the change promised by the current administration.
He appreciated the efforts made by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka to deliver a special determination safeguarding the rights of Sri Lankan LGBTQIA+ citizens, urging the Parliament of Sri Lanka to enact the recommendations proposing the repealment of Section 365 of the Penal Code.
Sieper went on saying that the policy manifesto by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake promising the repealment of laws detrimental to the LGBTQIA+ community of Sri Lanka is commendable, and assured that the international community will be observant whether these promises become a reality.
He pointed out that by doing so, Sri Lanka will invest itself in a special position in the world of human rights.
The EU lawmaker also exerted a formal apology over the Europeans’ actions of enforcing laws criminalising marginalised communities such as the LGBTQIA+ community during the colonial era.
