The Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists (SLCP) has called on the authorities to decriminalize homosexuality in Sri Lanka.
Issuing a statement, it called on the Government to amend Section 365 of the Penal Code which states homosexuality is a criminal act.
Announcing that it does not endorse the view that homosexuality is due to a disease of the mind or body, the SLCP said modern-day psychiatrists do not identify homosexuality as a mental illness or treat it as such.
It further highlighted that it has come to their notice that certain individuals conducting training programs on mental health are spreading erroneous messages on sexual behaviour.
‘This myth that homosexuality is a mental illness is not in keeping with the evidence-based science practiced by our membership. According to modem day medical knowledge and social values the lifestyle choices of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTICI) community are to be respected and not discriminated against,’ the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists added.
Urging the authorities to change article 365 of the penal code which states that homosexuality is a criminal act, the SLCP said this archaic law should be abolished and homosexuality decriminalized in Sri Lanka.
The statement has been issued, weeks after a video surfaced on social media of a person identifying herself as a counsellor openly making homophobic remarks at a Police training in Kandy. (NewsWire)