President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized last Friday that it is not the government’s policy to use homosexuality or the LGBTQ community to promote the tourism sector.
The President made these remarks while participating in the ceremony to present the ordination letter to Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Thero, who was appointed as the new Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya, at the historic Magul Maduwa of the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
The Chief Prelates of the three main Nikayas had earlier issued a letter to President Dissanayake on September 30, expressing concern over the introduction of what they described as short-sighted laws that were causing social degradation and over alleged efforts by the state to promote immoral homosexual behavior. The President made his comments in response to this letter.
Stating that Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is rooted in a 2,500-year-old cultural identity, the President said that the government is committed to maintaining tourism based on the country’s historical heritage and natural beauty.
Commenting on the proposed amendments to the Penal Code, President Dissanayake noted that if necessary, such amendments could be presented to Parliament; however, if not, the existing law would remain unchanged. He further stressed that all actions taken so far were not for personal gain.
