Health authorities have called for the decriminalization of homosexuality in light of increasing cases of HIV due to homosexual activities.
Director of the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, Dr. Sisira Liyanage said that the Government including the Ministry of Health needed to look at decriminalizing homosexuality in the country.
“Fifty percent of the 70 cases are due to sexual activities among homosexuals. This includes labourers including those who work at construction sites and factories and are in hostels and boarding houses,” he said.
The National STD /AIDS Control Programme last week said that the number of detected Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections had increased from last year and was showing an upward trend.
Accordingly, 70 HIV positive cases have been detected during the first quarter of this year, where two thirds are males. The mode of transmission has been unsafe sex.
Companies have a responsibility to conduct educational awareness programmes and should seek our help, he noted.
He said most of the cases were recorded as being within the age category of 25 to 49 years while there were also those between 20 to 25 years of age. “Most of the cases are from the Colombo District, while the Gampaha District and the Kurunegala District are at the second and third places respectively,” he added.
“We have done more testing this time. Most of the people do not like to expose the fact that they are homosexuals to anyone other than their doctors. There should be social acceptance,” he added.
By Ruwan Laknath Jayakody
Nation