7 November 2018 06:45 pm
Members of the Sri Lankan LGBTQI+ community categorically condemned President Maithripala Sirisena’s statement made at Government’s rally in Colombo saying he was promoting homophobia and public incitement of homophobic hatred.
Addressing a news briefing yesterday, LGBTQI+ activist and a lecturer at the Colombo University of Colombo Thiyagaraja Waradas said the President should be held responsible for any injustice that would happen to any LGBTQ+ community following this remark.
“It is the minority LGBTQI+ community in rural areas, who have to undergo the repercussions because of this statement,” Waradas said.
“It is not a matter that can be taken lightly. The President used this term called “butterfly life” with a deliberate purpose to insult the LGBTQI+ community. Although it is a laughing matter for President Sirisena and the audience gathered, it is a huge blow to the entire LGBTQI+ community in Sri Lanka.”
He said this was not the first occasion where he disregarded the community.
When a Cabinet Paper was brought to the Cabinet regarding the LGBTQI+ community rights, President Sirisena showed his agitation and prevented it from being approved in the Cabinet.
“It is unfathomable as to why the President wanted to compare the LGBTQ+ community with the previous Cabinet and Ranil Wickremesinghe,” Waradas added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)
Video by Sanath Desmond
Pic by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe