Bills promoting LGBTQ and transgender rights a threat to local culture: Buddhist Congress

The All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) yesterday criticised two bills now pending before Parliament- Women Empowerment Bill and Gender Equity Bill - saying that they, if enacted, would promote LGBTQ rights and transgender rights compromising on the local culture, ethos and values.   

Its President Chandra Nimal Wakishta told a news conference that even in the Western world, parents had turned against children trying sex change.   

Asserting that Sri Lanka is a family-based matriarchal society, he said these pieces of legislation would definitely compromise Sri Lankan norms and values.   

He also said there are people with different sexual orientations, but separate laws should not be introduced on their behalf. However, he stressed the need to treat everybody equally.   

“If these bills are implemented, they will create a whole lot of social, cultural and legal confusion. This is Sri Lanka. The President should see himself as a Sri Lankan without trying to impose alien concepts on us,” he said.