Current Version
| Region | Sri Lanka |
| Issue | Homosexual activity |
| Status | Illegal (imprisonment as punishment) |
| Start Date | Jan 1, 1885 |
| End Date | now |
| Description | Homosexuality is criminalized in Sri Lanka under Section 365 of the 1883 Penal Code inherited from British colonial rule. "Voluntary carnal intercourse against the order of nature" by both men and women is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Human Rights Watch and Equal Ground have found evidence of these laws continuing to be enforced by police as of 2020. Sri Lanka is an independent nation, as such, India's 2018 Supreme Court decision to decriminalize same-sex relationships and make a similar law unenforceable does not apply. |
| Sources | http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/research/srilanka/statutes/Penal_Code.pdf https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/sri-lanka/ https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/sri-lanka/ |
Reports (1)
- All information is correct, just adding sources "Sri Lanka could legalise homosexuality soon
https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/11/sri-lanka-legalise-homosexuality-gay-sex-supreme-court/"
Revision History (4)
Revision by JerofDoorhandle
| Old Value | New Value (Current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Homosexuality is criminalized in Sri Lanka under Section 365 of the 1883 Penal Code. "Voluntary carnal intercourse against the order of nature" by both men and women is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Human Rights Watch and Equal Ground have found evidence of these laws continuing to be enforced by police as of 2020. Sri Lanka is an independent nation, as such, India's 2018 Supreme Court decision to decriminalize same-sex relationships and make a similar law unenforceable does not apply. | Homosexuality is criminalized in Sri Lanka under Section 365 of the 1883 Penal Code inherited from British colonial rule. "Voluntary carnal intercourse against the order of nature" by both men and women is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Human Rights Watch and Equal Ground have found evidence of these laws continuing to be enforced by police as of 2020. Sri Lanka is an independent nation, as such, India's 2018 Supreme Court decision to decriminalize same-sex relationships and make a similar law unenforceable does not apply. |
Show Difference | ||
Revision by JerofDoorhandle
| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Homosexuality is criminalized in Sri Lanka under Section 365 of the 1883 Penal Code. "Voluntary carnal intercourse against the order of nature" is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Human Rights Watch and Equal Ground have found evidence of these laws continuing to be enforced by police as of 2020. Sri Lanka is an independent nation, as such, India's 2018 Supreme Court decision to decriminalize same-sex relationships and make a similar law unenforceable does not apply. | Homosexuality is criminalized in Sri Lanka under Section 365 of the 1883 Penal Code. "Voluntary carnal intercourse against the order of nature" by both men and women is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Human Rights Watch and Equal Ground have found evidence of these laws continuing to be enforced by police as of 2020. Sri Lanka is an independent nation, as such, India's 2018 Supreme Court decision to decriminalize same-sex relationships and make a similar law unenforceable does not apply. |
Show Difference | ||
Revision by JerofDoorhandle
| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Homosexuality is considered illegal in Sri Lanka, with up to 10 years of prison for "carnal knowledge" against order of nature. | Homosexuality is criminalized in Sri Lanka under Section 365 of the 1883 Penal Code. "Voluntary carnal intercourse against the order of nature" is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Human Rights Watch and Equal Ground have found evidence of these laws continuing to be enforced by police as of 2020. Sri Lanka is an independent nation, as such, India's 2018 Supreme Court decision to decriminalize same-sex relationships and make a similar law unenforceable does not apply. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/research/srilanka/statutes/Penal_Code.pdf | http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/research/srilanka/statutes/Penal_Code.pdf https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/sri-lanka/ https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/sri-lanka/ |
Show Difference | ||
Revision by danlev
| Old Value (Original) | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Up to 10 years of prison for "carnal knowledge" against order of nature | Homosexuality is considered illegal in Sri Lanka, with up to 10 years of prison for "carnal knowledge" against order of nature. |
Show Difference | ||
Reports (8)
- Status is not correct "Same-sex sexual acivity is criminalised for both men and women under the Penal Code with a maximum penalty of 10 years for men and 2 years imprisonment for females regardless of age, consent or location. "
- All information is correct, just adding sources "Supreme Court has ruled that the laws are unenforceable."
- Status is not correct "Homosexuality is illegal for both genders"
- Note field is incorrect "Changes to law in India have no effect in Sri Lanka. However, this law is unenforced since 1948 and has been declared unenforceable due to violation of the constitution by the Sri Lankan Supreme Court. Therefore it is a dormant law that is yet to be removed from the books. Moreover, the police ignores and does not record, pursue or investigate complaints filed under this law."
- Status is not correct
- Status is not correct "There are no pending legal reforms to decriminalize homosexuality in Sri Lanka."
- Status is not correct "The punishment of 10 years is for having carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman, or animal."
- Other "Although Penal code prohibits Homosexualtity, This law is not practically enforced in Sri Lanka
[Note] -- This doesn't matter right? Invalid?"