The Attorney General's Department yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has taken a step to curb discrimination against the LGBTIQ community. Accordingly, a circular has been issued preventing police officers from conducting training sessions, lectures, or seminars that dehumanize or discriminate against individuals of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Questioning (LGBTIQ) community in the country.
Several civil society activists had filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal, highlighting the escalating abuse, harassment, and discrimination faced by the LGBTIQ community at the hands of the police. In response, the Court issued notices to the respondents, prompting the State to settle the case. The agreement involved the issuance of a circular by the IGP, directed at all senior police officers, prohibiting discriminatory acts against the LGBTIQ community and emphasizing the protection of their rights and equality under Article 12(1) of the Constitution.
President's Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena informed the court that the circular effectively addresses the concerns raised by the petitioners. The IGP has publicly issued this circular, marking the resolution of the case on these terms.
The petitioners, including Equal Ground, Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Tamara Andrea Flamer-Caldera, Jade Sison Jayawardena, Anusha Shyami David, Gowrie Ponniah, Savithri Roseanne Rodrigo, Chamindra Katugaha, Marisa Sharika Anjali Jayewardene, and Kalpanee Nuwangee Gunawardana, filed the petition on behalf of the rights of the LGBTIQ community in Sri Lanka. The respondents named in the petition include Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramarathna, counselor and psychologist Ama Dissanayake, and Deputy Inspector General of Police Chandana Alahakoon.
The petitioners referenced an island-wide survey conducted in 2020-2021, titled "Mapping LGBTIQ Identities in Sri Lanka," revealing that 12% of the total population interviewed identified as LGBTIQ. This represents a projected total of 1,469,574 individuals within the age group of 18-65 in Sri Lanka.
The petitioners emphasized that members of the LGBTIQ community routinely face severe prejudice in their daily lives, with some experiencing direct threats to their lives and well-being from both individuals and public authorities. The issued circular is seen as a crucial step towards addressing these concerns and fostering a more inclusive and tolerant environment for the LGBTIQ community in Sri Lanka.
