Mangala, the lone politician who stood for LGBTQ rights: Buddika Pathirana

Whilst stating that late Mangala Samarawera is the first and only Sri Lankan MP who stood for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights, SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana said today Sri Lanka should uphold these rights.

“I stress that LGBTQ rights should be upheld although I don’t belong this community,” Mr. Pathirana said speaking during the condolence vote on late Mr. Samaraweera in Parliament this afternoon.

“Mr. Samaraweera fearlessly fought for LGBTQ rights, at the time members of this community were harassed and ridiculed,” he said.

“Once some MPs of Mr. Samaraweera called him a ‘Samanalaya (butterfly)‘ he responded saying ''Yes, indeed I am,” Mr. Pathirana recalled. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)