Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has been driving millions of people into poverty, jeopardising their fundamental rights and freedoms. The crisis was multi-dimensional and comprised food insecurity, a dire shortage of fuel and transport, loss of livelihoods, shortage of essential medicine and healthcare equipment.

Disenfranchised groups, such as women, children, and LGBT+ communities have been disproportionately affected by the crisis, while incidents of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are reportedly increasing.

The crisis adversely affected the basic rights of Sri Lanka’s LGBT+ population. During the crisis many LGBT+ people alongside many others lost their means of earning a living. An issue that is compounded for many LGBT+ people given the discrimination and exclusion they continue to face.