A group identifying as the ‘Fathers’ Union’ has called on the government to refrain from supporting the private member’s bill, Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2023, which aims to repeal “provisions that make sexual orientation a punishable offence” in Sri Lanka.
Representing the group, former minister Mervyn Silva told the media that funds had been obtained by non-profit organizations from USAID to change the cultural values of Sri Lanka and destroy the nation.
“US President Donald Trump himself is against the LGBTQIA+ community. The former Ranil Wickremesinghe Government may have allowed the introduction of the Bill. We informed the previous government not to allow the introduction of the Bill. We must protect our children,” he said.
Mervyn Silva warned that if the government also approves the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2023, then not only the Fathers’ Union but also the Mothers’ Union and other groups will commence a protest starting from the Maha Sanga in Kandy.
In August 2022, Attorney at Law Premnath Dolawatte, a Member of Parliament representing the ruling party in Sri Lanka, handed over a private members bill to then President Ranil Wickremasinghe to amend the Penal Code provisions that criminalize consensual same-sex relations between adults.
Then President Ranil Wickremesinghe, subsequently announced that the government would not take action to block the Bill.
A revised version of the Bill was gazetted on 23 March 2023. The Bill was presented to Parliament on 4 April 2023. With the determination by the Supreme Court regarding the Bill’s constitutionality, the Bill now requires a simple majority in Parliament to become law. (Newswire)
