Get a Sample Report, Expert CV, and Free Consultation
Get a Sample Report, Expert CV, and Free Consultation
Sri Lanka’s LGBT Citizens Risk Arrest Under Colonial-Era Laws
Refuge and Protection of Human Rights Worldwide
Page 1 — Introduction and Context
Sri Lanka’s LGBT citizens live under constant threat of arrest and harassment due to colonial-era laws that criminalise same-sex relations. Despite global progress towards equality, Sri Lanka maintains laws that stigmatise and endanger sexual minorities.
These outdated statutes not only expose LGBT people to legal penalties but also reinforce societal discrimination, leaving many forced into silence or exile.
Page 2 — Historical and Political Background
Sri Lanka’s Penal Code, introduced under British colonial rule in the 19th century, includes sections that criminalise “carnal intercourse against the order of nature.” These provisions are vague but have historically been used to target LGBT citizens.
Although prosecutions are rare, the existence of these laws enables harassment by police, fuels stigma, and denies LGBT people equal protection. Despite calls from human rights organisations and local activists to repeal the laws, political leaders have resisted reform, citing conservative cultural values.
This reluctance leaves LGBT citizens trapped between outdated laws and hostile social attitudes.
Page 3 — Forms of Discrimination and Harassment
LGBT Sri Lankans face multiple forms of persecution:
- Police harassment: arbitrary arrests, blackmail, and threats under colonial-era provisions.
- Workplace exclusion: discrimination in hiring, promotion, and job security.
- Family rejection: many forced into heterosexual marriages or cast out of their homes.
- Violence: physical assaults, often unpunished due to stigma.
- Healthcare discrimination: fear of exposure and prejudice limits access to services.
These practices create a climate of fear that denies LGBT people dignity and equality.
Page 4 — Consequences for Citizens and Society
For LGBT citizens, the risk of arrest and harassment means living in secrecy. Many migrate abroad to find acceptance and safety. Those who stay often face isolation, poor mental health, and barriers to economic participation.
For society, maintaining colonial-era laws undermines equality and democracy, while tarnishing Sri Lanka’s international reputation. Human rights organisations and global partners continue to criticise the government’s refusal to reform discriminatory legislation.
Page 5 — Solutions and Conclusion
Protecting LGBT citizens requires urgent reforms and cultural change.
Key steps include:
- Legal reform: repeal colonial-era laws criminalising same-sex relations.
- Anti-discrimination protections: safeguard LGBT citizens in workplaces, healthcare, and education.
- Awareness campaigns: promote acceptance and challenge stigma.
- Police training: end harassment and ensure accountability for abuses.
- International advocacy: engage with rights organisations to support reforms.
Until such steps are taken, Sri Lanka’s LGBT citizens will remain at risk under outdated colonial-era laws, forced to live in fear rather than equality.
Sri Lanka’s LGBT citizens live under constant threat of arrest and harassment due to colonial-era laws that criminalise same-sex relations. Despite global progress towards equality, Sri Lanka maintains laws that stigmatise and endanger sexual minorities.
These outdated statutes not only expose LGBT people to legal penalties but also reinforce societal discrimination, leaving many forced into silence or exile.
Page 2 — Historical and Political Background
Sri Lanka’s Penal Code, introduced under British colonial rule in the 19th century, includes sections that criminalise “carnal intercourse against the order of nature.” These provisions are vague but have historically been used to target LGBT citizens.
Although prosecutions are rare, the existence of these laws enables harassment by police, fuels stigma, and denies LGBT people equal protection. Despite calls from human rights organisations and local activists to repeal the laws, political leaders have resisted reform, citing conservative cultural values.
This reluctance leaves LGBT citizens trapped between outdated laws and hostile social attitudes.
Page 3 — Forms of Discrimination and Harassment
LGBT Sri Lankans face multiple forms of persecution:
- Police harassment: arbitrary arrests, blackmail, and threats under colonial-era provisions.
- Workplace exclusion: discrimination in hiring, promotion, and job security.
- Family rejection: many forced into heterosexual marriages or cast out of their homes.
- Violence: physical assaults, often unpunished due to stigma.
- Healthcare discrimination: fear of exposure and prejudice limits access to services.
These practices create a climate of fear that denies LGBT people dignity and equality.
Page 4 — Consequences for Citizens and Society
For LGBT citizens, the risk of arrest and harassment means living in secrecy. Many migrate abroad to find acceptance and safety. Those who stay often face isolation, poor mental health, and barriers to economic participation.
For society, maintaining colonial-era laws undermines equality and democracy, while tarnishing Sri Lanka’s international reputation. Human rights organisations and global partners continue to criticise the government’s refusal to reform discriminatory legislation.
Page 5 — Solutions and Conclusion
Protecting LGBT citizens requires urgent reforms and cultural change.
Key steps include:
- Legal reform: repeal colonial-era laws criminalising same-sex relations.
- Anti-discrimination protections: safeguard LGBT citizens in workplaces, healthcare, and education.
- Awareness campaigns: promote acceptance and challenge stigma.
- Police training: end harassment and ensure accountability for abuses.
- International advocacy: engage with rights organisations to support reforms.
Until such steps are taken, Sri Lanka’s LGBT citizens will remain at risk under outdated colonial-era laws, forced to live in fear rather than equality.
How to Order an Expert Witness Report?
If you are a law firm handling an asylum case or an applicant seeking professional expertise, you can request an expert witness report directly from The Human Rights.
🔹 On the website: thehuman-rights.com — Click the "Apply Now" button anywhere on the site to Get a Sample Report, Expert CV, and Free Consultation.
🔹 Alternatively, email us at: ✉️ info@thehuman-rights.com— and we will respond within ONE HOUR.
📩 Submit your request today! Our team is ready to assist with professional and well-researched expert reports to support your asylum case.
🔗 Follow Us 🔗
► Website: thehuman-rights.com
► YouTube: @The_Human_Rights_eng
► LinkedIn: Maxim Kharitonov
— Our Expertise Covers a Wide Range of Regions and Countries
At The Human Rights, our expertise spans multiple regions, with a network of experts specializing in political persecution, human rights violations, and systemic repression across different parts of the world. Our reports provide in-depth analysis of the conditions in each country, covering freedom of speech, political repression, corruption, war crimes, persecution based on ethnicity, religion, or social status, and conditions in detention facilities.
- Eritrea: One of the most repressive regimes in Africa, known for indefinite forced conscription, lack of press freedom, and human rights abuses.
- Sudan & South Sudan: Ongoing civil conflicts, ethnic persecution, and government oppression pose significant risks to individuals.
- Somalia: Widespread political instability, armed conflict, and persecution by extremist groups.
- Ethiopia: Ethnic tensions, political repression, and human rights violations amid internal conflicts.
- Djibouti: Political suppression and lack of democratic freedoms.
- Kenya & Uganda: Cases of politically motivated persecution, state oppression, and human rights violations against marginalized groups.
East Africa
- Pakistan & Afghanistan: Religious and political persecution, gender-based violence, and Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
- Bangladesh: Crackdowns on political opposition and suppression of press freedom.
- India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan: Religious and ethnic tensions, caste-based persecution, and limitations on political dissent.
South & Central Asia
- Syria, Iraq, Yemen: Armed conflicts, war crimes, and persecution of minority groups.
- Iran & Saudi Arabia: Suppression of political dissent, harsh treatment of women, and religious persecution.
- Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine: Displacement, statelessness, and civil unrest.
Middle East
- Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina: Political instability, discrimination, and corruption affecting civil liberties.
Western Balkans
- Russia: Political persecution, corruption, suppression of opposition, and war-related persecution.
- Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova: Human rights violations amid war, repression of dissent, and crackdowns on activists.
- Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan: Ethnic conflicts, political oppression, and press freedom restrictions.
- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan: State repression, abuse of prisoners, and lack of political freedoms.
Eastern Europe & Post-Soviet States
- Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua: Authoritarian regimes, political imprisonment, and economic persecution.
- Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti, Colombia: Cartel violence, government corruption, and state-sponsored persecution.
- Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Dominican Republic: Political repression and indigenous rights violations.
Latin America & the Caribbean
- China & North Korea: State control, forced labor camps, and suppression of freedom.
- Mongolia, Vietnam, Myanmar: Government oppression, political arrests, and persecution of ethnic minorities.
East Asia
We ensure that every expert witness report provides fact-based, legally relevant analysis, helping to strengthen asylum cases worldwide.
Leave your contact information below and sign up for a ZOOM meeting
for an initial presentation, Q&A session, demonstration of the contract, and calculation of all relocation options and asylum application.
This meeting does not commit you to anything