Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists urges the authorities to decriminalize homosexuality in Sri Lanka after bringing amendments to Section 365 of the Penal Code which states homosexuality is a criminal act.

 

Issuing a press release, Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists announced that it do not endorse the view that homosexuality is due to a disease of the mind or body.

 

Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists stated that it has come to their notice that certain individuals conducting training programs on mental health are spreading erroneous messages on sexual behaviour. 

 

The Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists further said modern-day psychiatrists do not identify homosexuality as a mental illness or treat it as such. 

 

'This myth that homosexuality is a mental illness is not in keeping with the evidence-based science practiced by our membership. According to modem day medical knowledge and social values the lifestyle choices of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTICI) community are to be respected and not discriminated against,' the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists added. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)