News

LGBTQ+ community celebrates pride with vibrant parade in Colombo

Published

11 months ago

June 17, 2024

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Hundreds of members of Sri Lanka’s LGBTQ+ community paraded through the streets of Colombo on Sunday (16) to mark Pride Month and demand an end to discrimination.

The marchers carried rainbow flags and placards calling for a ban on conversion therapies, an end to police harassment, and equal treatment.

However, last year’s anti-government protests amid an unprecedented economic crisis have emboldened the LGBTQ+ community, organizers said.

Despite the growing visibility, Sri Lanka’s laws still criminalize homosexuality, with a bill pending before Parliament to decriminalize it.

The event, themed “Stronger Together,” was one of many organized by Sri Lanka’s LGBT+ community.

For Equal Ground, the organization behind Sunday’s march, this year marks the 20th anniversary of Pride celebrations.

“The Colombo Pride Festival started during the war. We didn’t take to the streets because it wasn’t safe,” Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, LGBTQ+ rights activist and founder of Equal Ground, told the media.

Rosanna, emphasized that this year’s march had the character of a silent protest for community rights, adding, “We want it to be a safe and happy place for everyone.”

Navoda Bennet, a non-binary trans fashion designer who identifies as feminine, wore an outfit of her own design and enthusiastically joined the LGBTQ+ community in Narahenpita, Colombo, to celebrate her culture.

News

GoSL strongly rejects genocide claims & protests against monument in Canada

Published

7 hours ago

May 14, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath today (May 14) met with the Canadian High Commissioner in Colomno to formally object to Canada’s approval and inauguration of a Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton, Ontario.

Minister Herath had reiterated the Government of Sri Lanka’s strong objections regarding the unfounded genocide allegations and the approval of constructing such a monument, which complicates and undermines the government’s efforts toward reconciliation and national unity.The MFA statement issued in this regard is as follows :

Media Release Eng-3 Download

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Harak Kata levels bribery allegations against Tiran & Deshabandu

Published

7 hours ago

May 14, 2025

editor

Notorious underworld figure – Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, alias Harak Kata, has claimed that he is being detained in Tangalle over his refusal to pay a Rs. 300 million bribe allegedly demanded by former Public Security Minister – Tiran Alles and suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon.
He levelled the allegations before reporters today (May 14) while he was being escorted by police from the Colombo Court Complex following a court hearing.

“There are so many things to say… I will reveal them then,” he had said before being taken back into custody.

News

Hayeshika granted bail (Update)

Published

7 hours ago

May 14, 2025

editor

Popular tuition teacher Hayeshika Fernando, widely known as ‘Teacher Amma,’ was granted bail by the Negombo Magistrate’s Court today (May 14) over allegedly assaulting a young man.

Her husband and the manager affiliated to her institute, who were previously arrested over the incident, have also been granted bail.

Hayeshika, who had been missing afterwards, had surrendered to the Negombo Magistrate’s Court today.

(Previous News on 14^th May, 2025 at 3:33pm)

Tutor Hayeshika surrenders to court

Popular tutor – Hayeshika Fernando, who had been evading arrest, has surrendered to the Negombo Magistrate’s Court.

President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne, appearing on behalf of the accused, informed the court that his client had voluntarily surrendered.

Hayeshika’s husband and the manager of the institution she is affiliated with were recently arrested over the alleged assault of a young man.

However, Hayeshika had remained at large until her court appearance today. Three police teams were also appointed to arrest her.

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