Abolish The Archaic Victorian Anti-Gay Laws: United Womens’ Front
January 23, 2014
The Sri Lankan government’s attempt to invoke archaic laws against UNP Matara District MP Mangala
Samaraweera in a bid to take political revenge against him, says the United Womens’ Front (UWF)
Diana Gamage
Issuing a statement today the president of the UWF, Diana Gamage says; Attempts by the Commonwealth Chairman led government to invoke archaic Victorian laws of the Sri Lankan penal code on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community is a direct violation of the Commonwealth charter.
She says; “The country is in need of an era that preserves good governance and democracy while being rid of inhumane archaic laws, and that this is the expectation of multi national, multi religious and LGBT masses.
“That the government is attempting to invoke archaic laws against UNP Matara District MP Mangala Samaraweera in ab id to take political revenge against him, the press release says, adding that the government is also preparing to unleash a wave of suppression over the LGBT community in Sri Lanka through this action.
“Attempts to unleash the law against MP Mangala Samaraweera over his personal life is being done by bringing back outdated morality laws of the Victorian era. It has been a while since these laws were abolished even in England, which is their birthplace. However, they are being unearthed by the current regime and their affiliates.
“At the present, the LGBT community of Sri Lanka are pressurized by the section 356A of the Sri Lankan penal code
“As a country which not only is a Commonwealth member but also holds the collective’s Chair post, we would like to remind President Mahinda Rajapaksa that these archaic laws are a direct violation of the Commonwealth Charter”
