By Zacki Jabbar
Justice Minister G. L. Peiris said on Friday that there are more presssing problems the government has to resolve than consider whether homosexuality should be legalised.

He was responding to a question at Friday’s cabinet press briefing whether the government would legalise homosexuality.

"I think the Penal Code is very clear on the matter. Besides there are more pressing problems that need to be resolved at this juncture".

Asked if he thought homosexuality should be legalised Peiris said it is not a question of what he thinks but what the Penal Code says on the matter.

Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said he too is of the view that there are more pressing problems to resolve than worry about what two consenting adults do in private.

Samaraweera said he was not aware if a Sri Lankan gay group calling themselves "Companions on a Journey" had presented a petition to the government asking that homosexuality be legalised.

The group " Companions on a Journey" at a recent press conference appealed to the government to legalise homosexuality. They claimed the government was receptive.