Sri Lankan police have reportedly arrested two women in Amparai under the country’s archaic anti-LGBT laws that continue to criminalise homosexuality across the island.
The two women, an Indian Tamil woman and a local Muslim woman from Akkaraipattu have subsequently admitted into Kalmunai Base Hospital where they will reportedly be subjected to a “psychiatric evaluation”.
The arrest comes as pride was being celebrated around the world, including in Colombo and Jaffna. However, the Sri Lankan government continues to criminalise homosexuality.
Photo credits: Jaffna Pride (via @jaffnapride)
Last year, then government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella maintained that Sri Lanka does not legally recognise the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.
Previously LBGTQ+ activist have been threatened by Sinhala extremist groups and been subjected to forced anal and vaginal examinations in trials against homosexuality.
