Overview

This project is funded by the Movement Accelerator Grant by IPPF. Strengthening the rights of the LGBTIQ community in Sri Lanka has been a long-standing effort. With the support of the State, we hope to bring about legal change in Sri Lanka. For the first time in Sri Lanka, we will be working on amending the existing Penal Code to strengthen and recognize the rights of LGBTIQ persons in Sri Lanka by drafting an amendment bill to the Penal Code which focuses on reforming laws used to target the LGBTIQ community. Furthermore, to strengthen the movement of rights for the transgender community in Sri Lanka, the Transgender Protection Bill is being drafted. An extensive advocacy campaign will run parallelly to change the negative narratives and portrayal of LGBTIQ community members in Sri Lanka. 

Planned Activities 

1. Penal Code reform: stakeholder consultations to obtain their feedback and recommendations on the draft bill. Stakeholders include; LGBTIQ organizations, Women's rights organizations and legal professionals. 

2. Transgender Protection: provincial consultations were held to obtain the feedback of the transgender community from different provinces. The next stage of this project is to hold consultations with LGBTQI organizations, legal professionals and the media to obtain their feedback and recommendations on the draft bill. 

3. Advocacy: The advocacy campaign is two-fold and will consist of interviews, press releases, social media campaigns to change the narrative and portrayal of LGBTIQ persons.