LGBT+

In 2022, Sri Lanka faced a severe economic crisis exacerbated by longstanding poor government policies and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country experienced a significant decline in vital sources of income from tourism and remittances, leading to a foreign currency shortage by March. This shortage hindered the import of essential goods like fuel and medicine, resulting in rising inflation, price hikes, power rationing, and fuel shortages. In May, Sri Lanka defaulted on its debt repayments, and economic recovery has been slow and occasionally stalled.

Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has been driving millions of people into poverty, jeopardising their fundamental rights and freedoms. The crisis was multi-dimensional and comprised food insecurity, a dire shortage of fuel and transport, loss of livelihoods, shortage of essential medicine and healthcare equipment.

Disenfranchised groups, such as women, children, and LGBT+ communities have been disproportionately affected by the crisis, while incidents of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are reportedly increasing.

Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has been driving millions of people into poverty, jeopardising their fundamental rights and freedoms. The crisis was multi-dimensional and comprised food insecurity, a dire shortage of fuel and transport, loss of livelihoods, shortage of essential medicine and healthcare equipment.

Disenfranchised groups, such as women, children, and LGBT+ communities have been disproportionately affected by the crisis, while incidents of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are reportedly increasing.

Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has been driving millions of people into poverty, jeopardising their fundamental rights and freedoms. The crisis was multi-dimensional and comprised food insecurity, a dire shortage of fuel and transport, loss of livelihoods, shortage of essential medicine and healthcare equipment.

Disenfranchised groups, such as women, children, and LGBT+ communities have been disproportionately affected by the crisis, while incidents of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are reportedly increasing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on mental health worldwide. High mortality rates, unknown aspects of the virus, as well as strict public health measures, have led to a surge of anxiety, depression and/or substance misuse.

While the pandemic has negatively impacted the lives of everyone, marginalised groups have borne a higher cost. Indeed, the pandemic has magnified pre-existing discrimination, violence, oppression, as well as social stigma and economic hardship, faced by LGBT+ people.

Societal attitudes towards LGBT+ individuals vary from one country to another. Across the world, many states have taken reformist steps to accommodate the concerns and redress, amend or repeal discriminatory policies and laws that impact the LGBT+ community. Despite numerous recent victories, in many parts of the world, members of the LGBT+ community continue to face intimidation, harassment, physical and sexual abuse, violence, and discrimination both in their offline and online lives.

To invoke a political slogan that has recently gained popularity, all Sri Lankans are entitled to ‘one country, one law.’ This gap analysis identifies the clear differences in how Sri Lankan laws are experienced by groups like LGBTIQ+ Sri Lankans who live mostly in the margins of Sri Lankan society. Examining a wide variety of laws and policies in Sri Lanka, it demonstrates how LGBTIQ+ Sri Lankans are vulnerable to discrimination across several critical areas, such as education, healthcare and housing.