Let’s not give in to bigotry

It’s strange how Sri Lankans fear any departure from what they are always used to. Take the protests mounted over this government’s progressive attempt to introduce LGBTQ tourism to Sri Lanka and also to do away with caning in our schools. Many countries including neighbouring India have introduced this brand of tourism successfully without any harm to the country’s traditions and cultures. Sri Lanka should do the same. These protests by our clergy and backward politicians make us look backward, which most of us not.

The same with caning in schools, a hated, ineffective and harsh practice now illegal almost everywhere except in backward countries. Do we want to look backward? Our monks and priests should open their eyes and look around to see what’s happening in the rest of the world. The same for these uneducated politicians trying to make political capital by opposing a very timely and sensible proposition to update archaic laws by this government. It has made several missteps since gaining power, but this is a step in the right direction. How can anyone argue that LGBTQ tourists are going to harm our culture? They will behave as other tourists, staying at hotels, travelling, visiting sites and buying souvenirs. After that, they will leave. LGBTQ isn’t tattooed on their foreheads. As for caning, I am surprised that people who have in all probability been caned at school long ago now stand up and scream that it’s a good thing. In my opinion, these are the very people who need a good caning!

Prema J. Ranasinghe

Colombo.