{"id":195297,"date":"2018-11-06T19:44:44","date_gmt":"2018-11-06T14:14:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=195297"},"modified":"2018-11-06T21:13:34","modified_gmt":"2018-11-06T15:43:34","slug":"sirisena-should-be-held-responsible-for-homophobic-incidents-in-sri-lanka-in-coming-days-sri-lankan-lgbtqi-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/sirisena-should-be-held-responsible-for-homophobic-incidents-in-sri-lanka-in-coming-days-sri-lankan-lgbtqi-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Sirisena Should Be Held Responsible For Homophobic Incidents In Sri Lanka In Coming Days: Sri Lankan LGBTQI+ Community"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?s=LGBTQ\">LGBTQI+<\/a> community in Sri Lanka strongly condemned the controversial statement by President Maithripala Sirisena and said it was an act of using homophobia to amuse his political gallery.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;By trivialising homophobia in this fashion, President Sirisena should be held responsible for any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?s=homophobic\">homophobic<\/a> incidents that Sri Lankan citizens may experience in the coming days,&#8221; the LGBTQI+ community said, in a statement today.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Maithripala1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-145724\" src=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Maithripala1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"900\" height=\"645\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Maithripala1.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Maithripala1-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Maithripala1-800x573.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The full statement issued by them is as follows:<\/p>\n<p><b>Statement by the Sri Lankan LGBTQI+ community and allies on President Sirisena\u2019s homophobic comments at a public rally, 5 November 2018<\/b><\/p>\n<p>At a public rally held on Monday 5 November 2018, President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka made a series of homophobic comments. The President, who was in a Joint Government with the United National Front (UNF) led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, categorically stated that Mr Wickremesinghe rejected national values and had entered a \u201cbutterfly life\u201d [\u201csamanala jeevithaya\u201d in Sinhala], which implies a queer lifestyle. Sirisena then commented that key decisions of government were made not by the President nor by party seniors but by Mr Wickremesinghe and his \u201cbutterfly caucus\u201d [\u201csamanala rela\u201d in Sinhala]. These comments were met with laughter and applause by those gathered on stage beside Sirisena, including Mahinda Rajapaksa who was appointed as Prime Minister by Sirisena.<\/p>\n<p>As members of the Sri Lankan LGBTQI+ community, we categorically condemn this homophobia openly promoted by the elected head of state of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. This statement makes it clear that President Sirisena has absolutely no notion or commitment whatsoever for the fundamental rights and human dignity of all Sri Lankans. It is particularly disappointing coming from a President elected on the votes of many members of the Sri Lankan LGBTQI+ community who saw his candidacy as a respite from the rampant homophobia of the preceding Rajapaksa presidency.<\/p>\n<p>We also wish to reiterate that the accusation that the UNF was run by an LGBTQI+ agenda is wildly inaccurate. We have experienced the UNF\u2019s own efforts to keep fundamental rights of LGBTQI+ Sri Lankans rights at bay, and to ignore the pleas of non-cisnormative and non-heteronormative Sri Lankan citizens to ensure their fundamental rights. The UNF\u2019s Minister of Justice, to cite but one example, was reluctant to even provide a courtesy call appointment for a delegation of LGBTQI+ professionals, in the aftermath of the Indian Supreme Court\u2019s progressive decision to repeal Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Had the UNF actually been led by an LGBTQI+ agenda, Sections 365 and 365A of the Sri Lankan Penal Code would by now be repealed, and equality irrespective of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity\/Expression and\/or Sex Characteristics [SOGIESC] would have been enshrined in the Constitution.<\/p>\n<p>President Sirisena\u2019s statement is therefore a clear case of misinformation, and misleading his own party and supporters. We condemn his use of homophobia to amuse his political gallery. By trivialising homophobia in this fashion, President Sirisena should be held responsible for any homophobic incidents that Sri Lankan citizens may experience in the coming days.<\/p>\n<p>We call upon all Sri Lankans who respect the fundamental rights of each and every Sri Lankan for equality, justice and dignity to join with us in categorically condemning President Sirisena\u2019s homophobia and public incitement of homophobic hatred.<\/p>\n<p>Signatories:<\/p>\n<p>Thiyagaraja Waradas<br \/>\nKaushalya Ariyarathne<br \/>\nDr Chamindra Weerawardhana<br \/>\nChethana Daniels<br \/>\n\u0dad\u0dd4\u0dc2\u0dcf\u0dbb \u0db8\u0db1\u0ddd\u0da2\u0dca<br \/>\nChandana Gunarathne<br \/>\nVidarshana Dominic Fernando<br \/>\nEphraim Shadrach.<br \/>\nDimuthu Ranasinghe<br \/>\nPalitha vijaya bandara<br \/>\nHashan Komasaru<br \/>\nAloka Wijesinghe<br \/>\n\u0d86\u0daf\u0dd2\u0dbd\u0dca \u0dc3\u0dd4\u0dbb\u0dcf\u0da2\u0dca<br \/>\nNilu rupasinghe<br \/>\nNicole alan<br \/>\nSuren Weerasekera<br \/>\nDilvi<br \/>\nS M R Sameera<br \/>\nMiriam Alphonsus<br \/>\nChamath<br \/>\nPathum Chamara<br \/>\nSupul Amarakoon<br \/>\nLakkitha Samarakone<br \/>\nDevin Hewage<br \/>\nJanindu de Zoysa<br \/>\nZahrah<br \/>\nYamuna guruge<br \/>\nSudath rohana<br \/>\nTharinda Mallawaarachchi<br \/>\nUrsula Bastiansz<br \/>\nzarha<br \/>\nBenjamin Subasinghe<br \/>\nEema<br \/>\nL M S Wijetunga<br \/>\nMohan<br \/>\nRabiah Roshen<br \/>\nKumeli Iddamalgoda<br \/>\nRabiah roshen<br \/>\nGayathri Abeywickrama<br \/>\nMuqaddasa Wahid<br \/>\nSamank<br \/>\nTaniya<br \/>\n\u0db8\u0dba\u0dd2\u0d9a\u0dbd\u0dca \u0db8\u0dd9\u0db1\u0dca\u0da9\u0dd2\u0dc3\u0dca<br \/>\nUpul Kumara Wickramasinghe<br \/>\nInshira<br \/>\nIsuru Gunasekara<br \/>\nRulzmith<br \/>\nAritha Wickramasinghe<br \/>\nEesha Coswatte<br \/>\nSaarah A<br \/>\nManoj<br \/>\nHaleema Iftikar<br \/>\nAmarasiri Abegunawarena<br \/>\nKasro Turai<br \/>\nKanchana Nanayakkara<br \/>\nAkila Dias<br \/>\nInoka Priyadarshani<br \/>\nChanuka Kaluthanthri<br \/>\nNadeesh Jayasinghe<br \/>\nDave Hunter<br \/>\nKavindya<br \/>\nAmarasiri abegunawarena<br \/>\nRaveen Perera<br \/>\nSupun Thrikawala<br \/>\nDamiru Siriwardana<br \/>\nTaniya pillai<br \/>\nSakuni<br \/>\nMaura nisantha<br \/>\nDushan Kumaravel<br \/>\nShabbeer<br \/>\nNick Tillekeratne<br \/>\nRiffan<br \/>\nBunty burah<br \/>\nHarini<br \/>\nRavindu Jaysinghe<br \/>\nRavi Tissera<br \/>\nSanjeewa<br \/>\nChristos Perera<br \/>\nKisal<br \/>\nCharith Silva<br \/>\nImap ukey<br \/>\nIshan Jalill<br \/>\nAmmaarah Zuhry<br \/>\n\u0d9a\u0dc3\u0dd4\u0db1\u0dca \u0dbb\u0dcf\u0da2\u0db4\u0d9a\u0dca\u0dc2<br \/>\nVenura kasun<br \/>\nPrabhashana M.<br \/>\nMaureen Ernest<br \/>\nMohamed Shammakh<br \/>\nLakshan Seneviratne<br \/>\nJoel Pett<br \/>\nTulana Ariyaratne<br \/>\nThanuja Wijewardena<br \/>\nSavini Ganhewa<br \/>\nNimesh Fernando<br \/>\nMiara<br \/>\nDr Fiona Kumari Campbell<br \/>\nNethmi Udugama Koralalage<br \/>\nYasheera Fernando<br \/>\nSenel Wanniarachchi<br \/>\nSoysa W.D.A<br \/>\nAmy Hunter<br \/>\nChameli Karunathilake<br \/>\nAmarasiri abegunawarena<br \/>\nChathurya Silva<br \/>\nSahan Jayamanna<br \/>\nAji V.Y<br \/>\nAmila Sampath Wijegunaratne<br \/>\nGayan sanjeewa<br \/>\nBashya Ratnayake<br \/>\nLahiru<br \/>\nPawara Nilanga<br \/>\nShamala Kumar<br \/>\nAsiri Ekanayake<br \/>\nSam Roxanne<br \/>\nFarah macan markar<br \/>\nAmalini De Sayrah<br \/>\nAMS Gunawardene<br \/>\nSathya Amaratunge<br \/>\nKasun Ehelapola<br \/>\nChathushka Perera<br \/>\nArun Welandawe-Prematilleke<br \/>\nThisara<br \/>\nRishan<br \/>\nDiani dodamgoda<br \/>\nMahela Gamage<br \/>\nsuranga chamdima<br \/>\nSandamal Weerasinghe<br \/>\nLishani Ramanayake<br \/>\nDevindani Saranga<br \/>\nKushan Thrimahavithana<br \/>\nMarshan Murugathass<br \/>\nChethika Hapugalle<br \/>\nJerad Perera<br \/>\nDinesh Rajawasam<br \/>\nMeneka Galgamuwa<br \/>\nLashan<br \/>\nPasan Jayasinghe<br \/>\nVinidu Jayasekera<br \/>\nSaakya Rajawasan<br \/>\nMelisha<br \/>\nJanith Weerasinghe<br \/>\nEshanthi<br \/>\nShehara Gunaratne<br \/>\nmx.MIRA<br \/>\nMinadi Gunawardena<br \/>\nAbinaya Rajasekaran<br \/>\nKarthiga<br \/>\nNelie<br \/>\nInfaz<br \/>\nChiranthi Rajapakse<br \/>\nA.M.M.SAFRAN<br \/>\nRandimal Tisara<br \/>\nChathu Dhamsara<br \/>\nPrabha Manuratne<br \/>\nLeana Pieris<br \/>\nDr Neshantha Harischandra<br \/>\nNora Deemer<br \/>\nZahrah Rizwan<br \/>\nKaushalya Perera<br \/>\nParami Anuththara<br \/>\nShenella I<br \/>\nDinesh Perera<br \/>\nImaad Majeed<br \/>\nDanuja Perera<br \/>\nManisha Jayasinghe<br \/>\nThilini Perera<br \/>\nKumudu<br \/>\nHans Billimoria<br \/>\nTony Ouyang<br \/>\nW.P. Eran<br \/>\nWijith Rohan<br \/>\nCamryn S. Kingsley<br \/>\nNemindi Rathnayake<br \/>\nModitha maduranga<br \/>\nOsura Rathnayake<br \/>\nRamudi Samarasekera<br \/>\nNadeeru Gannoruwa<br \/>\nVishane Herath<br \/>\nShazana Zarook<br \/>\nDasanayaka<br \/>\nRimaza Hassan<br \/>\nGihan Alwis<br \/>\nSachii<br \/>\nJ Fernandez<br \/>\nAnonymous<br \/>\nErica<br \/>\nDasun Wijewardena<br \/>\nruqaiya<br \/>\nLakshani Godage<br \/>\nKuma Chandrathilake<br \/>\nShanelle Jayawardena<br \/>\nM. Maisan<br \/>\nHarini Perera<br \/>\nDhanushaka thilina<br \/>\nDinuka perera ( firon seshon)<br \/>\nIshan Ali Marikar<br \/>\nHansi Deshapriya<br \/>\nShermal Wijewardene<br \/>\nSandeepa Perera<br \/>\nPramodha Weerasekera<br \/>\nFatema<br \/>\nNatalie Soysa<br \/>\nSahan Indeewara Guruge<br \/>\nKumudini Samuel<br \/>\nYoung Out Here Sri Lanka<br \/>\nHasna Farouk<br \/>\nSanjeewa T. P<br \/>\nK.S Gihan<br \/>\nTalya Cassim<br \/>\nInura Kadawatha Arachchi<br \/>\nShakeel<br \/>\nSampath Amarasekara<br \/>\nChamari de Silva<br \/>\nJade Jayawardena<br \/>\nThenu Ranketh<br \/>\nNiluka Perera<br \/>\nSahan wijesingh<br \/>\nGabriel Hoosain Khan<br \/>\nPasindu De Silva<br \/>\nSuhithakumar.M<br \/>\nJay Solomons<br \/>\ncharya Samarakoon<br \/>\nSaranga Wijerathna<br \/>\nSamya<br \/>\nLauren Wijesuriya<br \/>\nPasan Alwis<br \/>\nSurendra Lankanatha<br \/>\nRajesh<br \/>\nIshan<br \/>\nThivahar Prashanna<br \/>\nYashodha Rajapaksha<br \/>\nHimali de Silva<br \/>\nSiena Godfrey<br \/>\nS. Ekanayake<br \/>\nAmila perera<br \/>\nAmana Zahid<br \/>\nSampath Samarakoon<br \/>\nChulani Kodikara<br \/>\nTashya de Silva<br \/>\nAinesh Munaweera<br \/>\nDinali Fernando<br \/>\nWasundara Ranasinghe<br \/>\nSusith chula gunasekara<br \/>\nHansika Piyumali Ambahelagedara<br \/>\nRaidha fayaz<br \/>\nUpul Weerasinghe<br \/>\nKingston<br \/>\nSadhana Vikrantha<br \/>\nSukeen Jayawatana<br \/>\nPiyumi Fonseka<br \/>\nUvini A.<br \/>\nSandalie<br \/>\nGayan perera<br \/>\nHathija jemillaha<br \/>\nN P pathirana<br \/>\nSunanda Mesquita<br \/>\nChathurya D<br \/>\nDilini Senadeera<br \/>\nShakya Ariyaratne<br \/>\nNethmi Vithanage<br \/>\nKevin Nambuge<br \/>\nSanduni Wijesiriwardana<br \/>\nAlochana Karunarathne<br \/>\nRevati<br \/>\nLasika Udayangani<br \/>\nShanny<br \/>\nGihan<br \/>\nKumudu Sumedha<br \/>\nDhammika Marasinghe<br \/>\nTalitha Ariyanto<br \/>\nSuruthi MT Ragulan<br \/>\n\u0dc3\u0dd4\u0db4\u0dd4\u0db1\u0dca \u0db7\u0dcf\u0d9c\u0dca\u200d\u0dba\u0dcf \u0dc0\u0dd3\u0dbb\u0d9a\u0ddd\u0db1\u0dca<br \/>\nRithika arohi<br \/>\nSANJE vignaraja<br \/>\nAshri<br \/>\nIsira<br \/>\nPasindu chalana<br \/>\n\u0db4\u0dc0\u0dbb \u0db1\u0dd2\u0dbd\u0d82\u0d9c<br \/>\nakalanka gunasekara<br \/>\nGimhani Rathnayake<br \/>\n\u0d89\u0dc2\u0dd6 \u0dc0\u0dd2\u0d9a\u0dca\u200d\u0dbb\u0db8\u0dc3\u0dd2\u0d82\u0dc4<br \/>\nSandun<br \/>\nLorraine Fernando<br \/>\nAjanthan<br \/>\n\u0ba8\u0bbf\u0bb0\u0bcb\u0b9a\u0ba9\u0bcd<br \/>\nMAHNOOR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":145724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,2186,1,2375],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-195297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colombotelegraph","category-featured-news","category-news","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - 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