Private member bill presented to amend penal code to protect LGBT rights


Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Premnath C. Dolawaththa is set to present a private members bill to parliament in order to amend legal provisions within the country’s penal code which criminalise same-sex sexual activity

Dolawaththa is expected to present the bill to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today which also marks the first year death anniversary of former Minister Mangala Samaraweera, a known advocate for LGBT rights in Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, Dolawaththa’s bill will propose amendments to sections 365 and 365 (a) on unnatural offences in the Penal Code

Dolawaththa said he will hand over the private members bill to parliament today as a tribute to Samaraweera who continuously fought to remove all forms of discrimination and to protect one's freedom to decide on one's own sexual orientation.