- Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists intervene in homophobic police training fiasco
The video featured counsellor Ama Dissanayake, inciting her audience to declare loudly that they, as parents, do not wish for their children to “fall prey to a homosexual”. Amongst other things, she goes on to claim that if everyone was to engage in same-sex relationships then “you or I won’t be here” as a man and woman must come together to procreate, claiming that homosexuality was against the accepted norms of society and human values.
Since then, it has sparked quite a bit of debate with regards to the legitimacy of her statements – made by someone who claims to be a counsellor – and if in fact they are false statements, why is she yet to face any repercussions for her words, or the spread of potentially harmful misinformation?
Can we hold counsellors accountable?
Speaking to the Sri Lanka Psychological Association (SLPA) President Dr. Kanthi Hettigoda, she shared that in Sri Lanka there is no regulatory body that governs the qualifications or requirements to provide the services of a counsellor or a psychologist.
She said: “We acquire our license from the Sri Lanka Medical Council, however, in Sri Lanka there is no basic psychology degree requirement when offering services as a counsellor, there are many who engage in it simply having acquired a certification from various courses.” She further explained: “In order to become a psychologist, you must have a basic degree in psychology and post-graduate, and as for a clinical psychologist, you must then have a two-year master’s degree,” however beyond that, there are no regulations.
Speaking to the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists President Dr. Gihan Abeywardena, he too commented on this matter stating that when compared to those whom are consultant psychiatrists – where following our basic training as a doctor, you must engage in six years of training as a psychiatrist, it is questionable that in case of psychologists there are no such black-and-white rules.
“Even for a clinical psychologist, we don’t have a definition, do you have to have an MSc or a PhD? How much field and clinic experience do you need to accumulate? None of that is stated anywhere,” he said.
Denouncing the discriminatory statements made against the LGBTIQ community
Dr. Abeywardena stated that the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists issued a press statement on 18 August addressing the matter where they stated: “…we do not endorse the view that homosexuality is due to a disease of the mind or body.”
The statement further added that modern-day psychiatrists do not identify homosexuality as a mental illness or treat it as such. “This myth that homosexuality is a mental illness is not in keeping with the evidence-based science practiced by our membership. According to modem day medical knowledge and social values, the lifestyle choices of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) community are to be respected and not discriminated against,” the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists added.
They also strongly urged the authorities to change Article 365 of the Penal Code which states that homosexuality is a criminal act, “his archaic law should be abolished and homosexuality decriminaliced in Sri Lanka”.
Dr. Abeywardena followed-up stating that the only intervention psychiatrists would make with regards to LGBTIQ individuals is that if they suffer from depression and anxieties due to the treatment they must endure at the hands of a discriminatory society. If not, there is scientific evidence that provides homosexuality to be a biological trait and therefore the belief that it is “unnatural” is a myth and an erroneous message.
Additionally, with regards to the training session conducted by the counsellor in question, a petition has been submitted to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, concerning the actions of Sri Lanka Police in allowing the dissemination of misinformation amongst their officers via an official training session. The application has been submitted by Kushal Ranasinghe of the non-profit organisation “Youth for Tomorrow”.