LGBTQ+ community and other civil rights activists angered by President Sirisena´s ¨Samanala¨ comments

President Maithripala Sirisena’s reference to a ‘samanala rela’ (queer caucus) in the United National Party that took all the decisions, has been met with anger by members of the LGBTQ+ community and other civil rights activists.

“These remarks are homophobic and unbecoming of a Head of State,” said Thiyagaraja Waradas, a rights activist and lecturer at the Colombo University addressing a media briefing. “Such statements made by a President give homophobic people in the country a warrant to persecute members of the LGBTQ+. Homosexual people in rural areas who have no voice will be the ones affected most.”

“The shortcomings of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his cabinet should not be equated to their alleged sexual orientations, because there is no connection between a person’s sexual preferences and their capacity to make decisions,” said Visakesa Chandrasekaram, a solicitor, activist and film maker.

President Sirisena made these remarks at a rally organised near the Parliament on November 5.

Meanwhile, a group of around 100 activists gathered near the Liberty Roundabout in Kollupitiya to protest the President’s comments, today.

(Abdullah Shanawaz)