In 1885, there were 3 recorded legal changes made affecting LGBT people. In the previous year, there were 1 change made and 12 in the following year. A total of 34 legal changes were made in the 1880s.
- (date unknown)Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).Section 11 of The Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 built on previous legislation. It was famously used against Oscar Wilde and Alan Turing.
- January 1
- Homosexual activity becomes illegal (imprisonment as punishment).Homosexuality is criminalized in Sri Lanka under Section 365 of the 1883 Penal Code inherited from British colonial rule. "Voluntary carnal intercourse against the order of nature" by both men and women is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Human Rights Watch and Equal Ground have found evidence of these laws continuing to be enforced by police as of 2020. Sri Lanka is an independent nation, as such, India's 2018 Supreme Court decision to decriminalize same-sex relationships and make a similar law unenforceable does not apply.