Religious leaders call for withdrawal of three Bills

• Religious leaders say they are even prepared to take to the streets if necessary 

By Yohan Perera

Religious leaders who are up in arms over three Bills namely Gender Equality Bill, Women Empowerment Bill and the Penal Code Amendment yesterday called for their withdrawal.  

The call for withdrawal was made by the venerable Kaburugamuwe Vajira Thera, Siva Ramachandran Kurukkal, Mowlavi Alhaj Hassan Mawlana and Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith who held a joint press conference.   

Venerable Vajira Thera said the penal code which seeks to decriminalize homosexuality will destroy Sri Lankan civilization and the society. “Religious leaders led by the Buddhist monks have always saw to it that Sri Lankan society is safeguarded wherever there were challenges to our society. We will be compelled to do the same again as the proposed new legislation will lead to promotion of uncivilized carnal pleasure. 

 We strongly believe that the institution of the family that is union between a man and a woman is a foundation of procreation. There should be no hindrance to this act of procreation Therefore, LGBTQIA is viewed as uncivilized carnal pleasure which poses an impediment to the culturally accepted common family nucleus. Therefore female   
-female and male-male marriage and even sex with animals that conform to the LGBTQIA movement are unreservedly condemned with disgust,” he said.   

Cardinal Ranjith said what he is opposed to is the promotion of uncivilized carnal pleasure. “We are not against those who are born with various desires and which are beyond their control. We believe that rights should be upheld,” the Cardinal said.   

He said it is certain international organizations which promote various lifestyles and destroy Sri Lankan culture.   

The religious leaders said they are even prepared to take to the streets against the proposed legislation,