Sri Lanka Supreme Court clears way to decriminalise homosexuality

Sri Lanka Supreme Court clears way to decriminalise homosexuality

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has approved a bill seeking to decriminalize homosexuality, according to the Speaker of Parliament, in a move welcomed by LGBTQ+ rights campaigners. Under current laws, homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment and fines, but activists have long campaigned for change. After hearing submissions from both sides, the Supreme Court ruled that the proposed legislation was not unconstitutional.

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Sri Lanka Supreme Court clears way to decriminalise homosexuality: Key Points

• While campaigners view the decision as a positive step, the bill must still win support from parliamentarians before it can become law.
• The current law punishes homosexuality with a prison sentence and a fine. The Supreme Court heard petitions from both sides of the argument and ruled that the bill was not unconstitutional.

The decision has been praised as a “historic development“, but supporters of the bill will still need to garner support from parliamentarians. The government and opposition have not yet commented.

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