💬 Join Equaldex's LGBTQ+ Discord to discuss LGBT rights and chat!

Public Opinion

Anurādhapura is lacking public opinion data.

Help expand our understanding of the public's view on LGBTQ+ issues in Anurādhapura by sharing a link to a survey from a reputable organization.

Suggest Public Opinion Data

Have you lived in or visited Anurādhapura?

Share your experience of being LGBTQ+ in Anurādhapura.

Take Survey

History

Homosexual activity in Anurādhapura

?

Homosexual activity in Anurādhapura is illegal (imprisonment as punishment).

Current status
Since 1995
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
In 1995, Sri Lanka amended its laws against homosexuality to also include women. The change was made after the laws were criticized for being discriminatory on the basis of sex.

The punishment for homosexuality is up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine, and there is evidence that the law has been enforced in recent years.

In 2022, a bill was introduced that would repeal Sri Lanka's laws against homosexuality, but it has not passed.
Jan 1, 18851995
Male illegal, female legal
Before 1995, homosexuality was criminalized only between men under Section 365 of the 1883 Penal Code inherited from British colonial rule.

Same-sex marriage in Anurādhapura

?

Same-sex marriage in Anurādhapura is unrecognized.

Current status
Unrecognized
Same-sex marriage is not recognized or banned in Sri Lanka.
Report error  ·  Log

Censorship of LGBT issues in Anurādhapura

?

Censorship of LGBT issues in Anurādhapura is no censorship.

Current status
No censorship
In Sri Lanka, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Report error  ·  Log

Right to change legal gender in Anurādhapura

?

Right to change legal gender in Anurādhapura is legal, but requires medical diagnosis.

Current status
Since Jun 16, 2016
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
Surgery is not required to legally change your gender in Sri Lanka. However, expert testimony/diagnoses is required.
Report error  ·  Log
Until Jun 16, 2016
Illegal
Before June 16th, 2016, there was no legal framework for transgender people to change their gender.
Report error  ·  Log

Gender-affirming care in Anurādhapura

?

Gender-affirming care in Anurādhapura is restricted.

Current status
Restricted
Gender-affirming care is legal, but difficult to access in Sri Lanka. Adult Sri Lankans require parental consent before sex reassignment surgery, and it was reported in 2023 that injections required by trans men were not available.
Report error  ·  Log

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Anurādhapura

?

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Anurādhapura is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
Sri Lanka does not legally recognize a third gender.
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT discrimination in Anurādhapura

?

LGBT discrimination in Anurādhapura is illegal in some contexts.

Current status
Since 2022
Illegal in some contexts
There is limited protection based on sexual orientation. The Personal Data Protection Act, No. 9 of 2022, states:

"'special categories of personal data' means, the personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, the processing of genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person, data concerning health or data concerning a natural person’s sex life or sexual orientation, personal data relating to offences, criminal proceedings and convictions, or personal data relating to a child."
Report error  ·  Log
Until 2022
No protections
Before 2022, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity was a protected class from discrimination in any context.
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT employment discrimination in Anurādhapura

?

LGBT employment discrimination in Anurādhapura is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in employment provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Sri Lanka.
Report error  ·  Log

LGBT housing discrimination in Anurādhapura

?

LGBT housing discrimination in Anurādhapura is no protections.

Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in housing provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Sri Lanka.
Report error  ·  Log

Same-sex adoption in Anurādhapura

?

Same-sex adoption in Anurādhapura is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
In Sri Lanka, single people are not able to adopt children, and same-sex couples are not found eligible to adopt.
Report error  ·  Log

Intersex infant surgery in Anurādhapura

?

Intersex infant surgery in Anurādhapura is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
There is no ban on "normalization" surgeries performed on intersex infants. However, there are also no reports of these surgeries occurring.

Serving openly in military in Anurādhapura

?

Serving openly in military in Anurādhapura is unknown.

Current status
Unknown

Blood donations by MSMs in Anurādhapura

?

Blood donations by MSMs in Anurādhapura is banned (indefinite deferral).

Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
On Sri Lanka’s National Blood Transfusion Website, under the donor donation criteria, it states that donors must be free from "Risk Behaviors". On the site, the risk behaviors listed include homosexuals.
Report error  ·  Log

Conversion therapy in Anurādhapura

?

Conversion therapy in Anurādhapura is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is not banned.
Report error  ·  Log

Equal age of consent in Anurādhapura

?

Equal age of consent in Anurādhapura is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal, so no legal age of consent exists for it.
Report error  ·  Log