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Homosexuality neither a disease of the mind nor an offence, says court

Published

4 years ago

2022/08/7

The Wattala Magistrate’s Court has dismissed a case filed against a lesbian from Welisara – Mahabage.The case was dismissed after the court had accepted the submission of the defence counsel that homosexuality is neither a disease of the mind nor an offence. A case was filed at the Wattala Magistrate’s Court against a 22-year-old lesbian woman. The parents of the victim, with the help of the Welisara Mahabage Police, had filed a motion in Court seeking a declaration that she was mentally ill because she was a lesbian.

The parents of the victim had been illegally confining the adult woman and subjecting her to abuse, harassment, and forced conversion services after she informed them of her sexual orientation and that she was in a consensual and loving, same-sex relationship.

The matter was initially raised with the Welisara Mahabage Police when a friend of the victim made a complaint to the Welisara Mahabage Police after receiving an email from the victim explaining her illegal confinement.

The victim and her parents were then summoned to the Police for further inquiry. Here, the parents of the victim informed the Police that the victim was suffering from a mental illness as a result of her homosexuality. The Police then further discriminated against the victim based on her sexual orientation. The Police, on the request of the parents of the victim, subjected her to a psychiatric evaluation with a psychiatrist suggested by the OIC. The parents of the victim then made a complaint against their daughter stating that she was in a same-sex relationship and suffered a mental illness therefore they wished that she be produced before a Judicial Medical Officer for psychiatric evaluation. The victim objected to this examination on the ground that no court order was issued.

One week later, the Police summoned all parties back to the Police station stating that there was no evidence of an offence being committed on the part of the victim and they wished to release her possessions back to her. The counsel appearing for the parents of the victim then contested the ownership of the possessions. The Police then stated that this dispute should be resolved by the Magistrate and presented the facts to Court.

On 21 March 2022, the case was taken up before an Interim Magistrate at the Wattala Magistrate’s Court. Appearing on behalf of the parents, the parents’ lawyers, a President’s Counsel, made an application to the Court that the victim suffers from a mental illness and should be subjected to a psychiatric evaluation by a Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) because of her homosexuality. Despite there being no specific offence charged and no legal basis for a medical examination, the Interim Magistrate had ordered the victim to be produced before a JMO for examination before the next hearing.

Following this decision by the Interim Magistrate, the victim’s lawyers filed a revision application to the High Court of Negombo to contest the Interim Magistrate’s decision. The lawyers argued that the Interim Magistrate had reached her decision merely upon submissions provided by the complainant and not upon any legal reasoning.

Magistrate’s often issued orders subjecting LGBT people to anal and vaginal examinations and STI testing purely at the request of the Police. Such decisions can be challenged through revision applications. This case highlights this possibility.

In August 2021, the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists also issued a statement that homosexuality was not a mental illness. They further went on to state that the myth of homosexuality being a mental illness lacked any scientific-based evidence and called on the relevant authorities to repeal S.365 and 365A of the Penal Code.

Sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code do not expressly criminalise homosexuality but are misapplied and misinterpreted by law enforcement to persecute LGBT people. The case was called again recently by the Wattala Magistrate Court. The Magistrate was then informed of the revision application that was made against the order of the Interim Magistrate. Further allegations were then put forward by the complainant’s lawyer that the victim had been ‘brainwashed’ and ‘abducted’ by her partner, despite the victim’s claims of being in a consensual relationship. This was despite the victim having earlier made a statement to the Mahabage Police Station that she does not wish to live with her parents.

Arguments were then raised by the victim’s lawyer that since the victim was of 22 years of age, she is an adult and is in full capacity to make her own decisions. The victim’s lawyer also informed the court of the statement issued by the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, which rejected homosexuality as a mental illness. Furthermore, evidence was provided to the fact that the victim did not suffer from any mental illness that warranted her confinement since she was holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and was employed as a teacher.

The complainant’s lawyer argued that releasing the victim to the public would endanger children as she was a teacher.The victim’s lawyer further stated that the victim’s sexual orientation as a lesbian does not constitute an offence under the Penal Code of Sri Lanka. In a U-turn for the Police, the final report submitted by the Welisara Mahabage Police Station also stated that there was no evidence of any offence being committed by the victim.

Following these arguments, the Magistrate stated that there was in fact a lack of evidence of any mental illness and that no offence had been committed by the victim. The Magistrate dismissed this case on the grounds that a JMO examination was not warranted since there was no evidence that the victim was suffering from a mental illness, thereby accepting that homosexuality was not a disease of the mind.The victim was supported by a collective of pro-bono lawyers working with legal probono organisation iProbono. Lawyers included President’s Counsel Dilrukshi Wickremasinghe, Erandhi Abeynake, Thishya Weragoda, Jerusha Thambiah, and Shevindri Manuel.

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Food Security is vital to ensuring a Nation’s Sovereignty and National Security – Prime Minister

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/30

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that, in the face of the turbulent global environment prevailing today, agriculture is confronting significant challenges, and that food security is a crucial factor affecting a country’s stability, sovereignty, and national security.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on 28 of April at the Waters Edge, Battaramulla, while addressing the National Youth Agripreneur Showvase and B2B connect Conference organised under the Smallholder Agribusiness Partnership Programme (SAPP), funded jointly by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Sri Lanka. The programme aims to empower rural youth to engage in agribusiness ventures.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister further stated:

“I commend the organisers for successfully conducting this event despite the various challenges faced by the country.

You are playing an important role in both the agricultural sector and the national economy. I am happy to witness talented agri-entrepreneurs such as yourselves.

Food security, founded on agriculture, directly impacts a nation’s national security. Concepts such as ’Grow and Sell’ contribute significantly to strengthening the production economy.

During the COVID crisis, as well as amidst the current conflicts in the Middle East, it has become evident that if countries lack food security, their economies become vulnerable. Even a minor decision taken by leaders can disrupt supply chains.

Climate change also poses serious challenges to agriculture. When climatic and environmental conditions become difficult to predict, agriculture itself is threatened. In such a context, your contribution as agri-entrepreneurs goes beyond earning an income. It is also a direct contribution to the nation’s food security and, consequently, to national security. Your talents and innovations are important not only to yourselves, but to the people of the country as a whole”.

The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude for the support extended by institutions such as IFAD and SAPP, and conveyed best wishes to the country’s creative entrepreneurial youth.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha; Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe; Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe; Additional Secretary of the Ministry Lathisha Priyanthi; Director of SAPP Sunimal Chandrasiri; and several other distinguished guests.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Explanation sought from AKD on ‘Russian energy supplies’

Published

10 hours ago

2026/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

Wasantha

The National Patriotic Front (NPF) has said the NPP government owes the public an explanation regarding the status of negotiations with Russia to secure energy supplies.

NPF General Secretary Dr. Wasantha Bandara said that Sri Lanka was in such a desperate situation, the current dispensation couldn’t, under any circumstances, miss the opportunity to reach consensus with Russia in this regard.

Dr. Bandara was responding to The Island query in the wake of the NPF, in a letter, dated 27 April, warning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the catastrophic consequences for the country if it failed to obtain energy supplies on affordable terms.

Alleging that various interested parties, within the government, and the Western diplomatic community, hindered the successful conclusion of an agreement/agreements between Sri Lanka and Russia, Dr. Bandara pointed out that those in authority seemed to have conveniently forgotten that Sri Lanka received two Russian delegations. In late March and early April 2026, Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin and Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, visited Colombo where the focus was on long-term fuel supplies, investment, and tourism.

Dr. Bandara said that Anura Karunatilleke, who succeeded Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, embroiled in the coal scam, was yet to meet the Russian Ambassador in Colombo Levan Dzhagaryan, who wants to explore ways and means of expediting the process. Instead,

British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick meets Energy Minister
Karunatilleke and Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Janaka Ruwan Kodithuwakku

Karunatilleke and Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Janaka Ruwan Kodithuwakku recently met British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick, Dr Bandara said. Referring to BHC post that they discussed how Sri Lanka could maximise its ports and airports, including through existing and new UK partnerships, alongside UK support for green energy, particularly offshore wind, Dr. Bandara emphasised that the UK and EU struggling to meet their own energy demands couldn’t help Sri Lanka.

In the NPF letter to President Dissanayake, Dr. Bandara alleged that Sri Lanka could secure a barrel of Russian crude for USD 150 to 160 whereas procurement through India cost a lot more. The NPF emphasised the responsibility on the part of the NPP government to maintain close relations with China, Russia and Iran, Sri Lanka’s long-time friends.

The NPF has urged President Dissanayake to intervene without further delay to ensure national interest in this matter is given utmost importance.

Dr. Bandara pointed out that those in charge of coal procurement told a parliamentary committee how the trouble started after Sri Lanka moved from Russian coal to South African products through disgraced Indian firm Trident Chemphar Ltd. Dr. Bandara asserted that political parties, represented in Parliament, should take up this matter vigorously and shouldn’t be distracted by vile NPP strategies.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

News

US reiterates its commitment to enhancing relations with Northern Sri Lanka

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

The US Embassy in Sri Lanka, on April 26, celebrated the 15th anniversary of American Corner Jaffna (ACJ), highlighting its longstanding role in connecting communities in Northern Sri Lanka with the United States through programmes focused on education, innovation, and American values. The Embassy also inaugurated the new “Freedom 250 Pavilion,” part of the global Freedom 250 initiative commemorating 250 years of American independence, the Embassy said in a press release issued yesterday (27)

Speaking at the event, US Embassy Public Affairs Officer Menaka Nayyar said: “American Corner Jaffna reflects the United States’ commitment to sharing American values, culture, and ideas with the people of Northern Sri Lanka. On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate 250 years of independence—a milestone that highlights our founding ideals and partnerships around the world, including here in Jaffna. Through the new Freedom 250 Pavilion and our programs, we invite the community to engage with the United States and learn more about our history, society, and innovation.”

In 2025 alone, ACJ hosted nearly 400 programmes, reaching more than 10,000 participants. Located at No. 23, Athiyady Road, Nallur, Jaffna, American Corner Jaffna provides free access to resources on the United States, English language learning, educational advising, and skills-based programming.

Established in 2011, in partnership with the Jaffna Social Action Centre, American Corner Jaffna was created as a platform for direct engagement with local communities—offering opportunities to learn about the United States while building skills in critical thinking, leadership, and innovation.

Launched in the post-conflict period, the Corner has played a key role in connecting emerging leaders in Northern Sri Lanka with ideas, resources, and opportunities rooted in American experience and perspectives. The Freedom 250 Pavilion expands ACJ’s capacity to host interactive programmes and community events, reinforcing the Corner’s role as a dynamic space for collaboration, dialogue, and learning.

Individuals can take part in free programmes by visiting American Corner Jaffna in person, contacting the Corner at 021 222 0665 or via email at info@americancornerjaffna.com, and following American Corner Jaffna on Facebook (facebook.com/amcornerjaffna) for the latest updates on events, registration, and membership opportunities.