In a landmark decision, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has struck down a proposed Gender Equality Bill, asserting that it would challenge traditional values deeply rooted in the island nation’s Buddhist majority culture.
The three-judge panel, led by presiding judge P. Padman Surasena, emphasized that the legislation aimed at combating sexism and violence could pave the way for legalizing same-sex marriage and decriminalizing homosexuality. Such provisions, the court argued, would introduce radical changes not in line with Sri Lanka’s constitutional principles or cultural norms.
“This bill opens the door to legalizing same-sex marriages, a concept foreign to our constitutional framework and cultural ethos,” Judge Surasena remarked in the court’s ruling.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, reacting to the decision, criticized the judiciary’s stance, calling it a setback to progressive reforms. He advocated for parliamentary intervention to overturn the ruling, highlighting past instances where discriminatory laws had been successfully challenged.
The Gender Equality Bill, aimed at guaranteeing equal opportunities irrespective of gender identity, has sparked widespread debate in Sri Lanka, a country where homosexuality remains criminalized under colonial-era laws.
Activists argue that such laws perpetuate discrimination and are used to marginalize LGBTQ individuals. The court’s decision, however, underscores the ongoing tension between legal reform efforts and traditional values in Sri Lanka.
As the nation grapples with this pivotal legal setback, the future of gender equality reforms remains uncertain amid fervent calls for legislative action and judicial review.
