SC's determination on the LGBTQI bill is to be communicated to the Speaker

The Supreme Court today concluded the arguments put forward in support and against the private member’s bill submitted to parliament seeking to amend Sri Lanka’s penal code with the aim of protecting the country’s LGBTQI community. Accordingly, all parties relating to the petitions were directed to submit their written submissions regarding this Special Determination petition before April 24. Later on, the Supreme Court’s determination over the proposed bill is to be communicated to the Speaker. The Supreme Court three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice Vijith Malalgoda, and Justice Arjuna Obeysekera took up for special determination, in terms of the Supreme Court's special jurisdiction, the validity of the bill titled "Penal Code (Amendment) Bill," which is a private member bill moved by Member of Parliament Premanath C. Dolawatta. A retired Brigadier of the Sri Lankan Army, Athula De Silva, political analyst Shenali Waduge, and prominent businesswoman Jehan Hameed filed this Special Determination Petition, naming the Attorney General and Parliamentarian Premnath C. Dolawatte as respondents. Several intervening petitioners, including women and media collectives, Prof. Savithri Goonesekere, Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Ramani Muttetuwegama, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Senior Researcher at CPA Bhavani Fonseka, and former Commissioner at the Office on Missing Persons Mirak Raheem, had filed intervening petitions. Attorney-at-Law Dharshana Weraduwage appeared for the petitioners. The President's Counsel, Sanjeeva Jayawardena, appeared for the Member of Parliament, Dolawatta. Additional Solicitor General Haripriya Jayasundere appeared for the Attorney General.

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