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Advisory: Lesbianism was not mentioned in law until 1995 when a bunch of men in government criminalized sex between women as "sadism." With India now having rejected such nonsense, signs are hopeful that peaceful Sri Lanka will follow. Local activists are working to decriminalize private homosexual activities enjoyed by more than one million Utopians in Sri Lanka.

• Sri Lanka Gay & Lesbian News
• Sri Lanka Lesbian Scene Updates message forum
• Travel in Sri Lanka message forum
• Women in Sri Lanka message forum
• Additional links for Sri Lanka GLBT information.

Click here for pictures and a special report from
Sri Lanka's First Gay Pride Celebration.

• Companions on a Journey
  46/50 Robert E Gunawardena Mawatha, Colombo 6, (94-11) 485-1535, email. An exclusively LGBT organization founded in 1995 and focusing their work in three main areas: advocacy for protection of rights of LGBT people and decriminalisation of consenting adult homosexuality; networking; and providing peer based outreach services. They operate two drop-in centers in Colombo and Kandy. In addition, they conduct film screenings, host reading room facilities and social get-togethers. They also provide peer counseling, STI/HIV testing and treatment and provide free condoms and information on STIs/HIV through peer outreach workers.
• EQUAL GROUND
  Colombo, +94-11-567-9766, 251-2977, email. Focusing on the human rights of Sri Lanka's LGBTIQ communities. They fight for the equitable status of all sexual orientations and gender identities and to eliminate the physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological abuse stemming from strict interpretations of gender and sexuality. They also offer a phone counseling service as well, on either phone line, and regularly hold activities for LB women and travelers are welcome to call about activities for the LGBTIQ community and LB women. They host an annual event called Women On Top to celebrate International Women's Day. They hosted and facilitated the first South Asian LB women's Conference in Sri Lanka. They also have women-only extracurricular activities such as open house, dancing, etc. EQUAL GROUND is the convening organisation PRIDE in Sri Lanka and is generally in June each year with dates posted on their website a few months in advance.
• Friendship Sri Lanka
  c/o Shan Gunawardane, 1049, Pannipitiya Rd, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka. For lesbians and bisexual women.
• Women's Support Group
  +94-11-505-6122, email. The Women's Support Group has worked since 1999 for the rights of lesbians, bisexual women and transgendered persons. WSG also organizes workshops on gender and sexuality, film shows for WSG members, and counselling help for LBT women in distress. They recently produced their first stage play titled Sathya: Shades of Grey. Lesbians traveling to Colombo should contact WSG as they may know of activities planned for women.

BENOTA -- area code (94-777)

Click here for Benota hotels and accommodations.

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BOLGODA

Click here for Bolgoda hotels and accommodations.

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COLOMBO/KOLAMBA -- area code (94-1)

Population is over 650,000 (that's about 26,000 Utopians).

• Barefoot Gallery Café (women-friendly)
• Number 18 (women-friendly)
• Paradise Road Gallery Café (women-friendly)
• Sugar
  A women-friendly bar with dancing located on Union Place.

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TANGALLE

Click here for Tangalle hotels and accommodations.

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