Sajith highlights issues faced by persons with disabilities in SL 

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa

Questions Govt. on its failure to implement the National Action Plan on persons with disabilities

raises concerns about accessibility issues at state institutions for those with disabilities 

calls on Govt. to improve facilities and services provided to the community.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday highlighted the many issues faced by persons with disabilities in Sri Lanka including the lack of services available to them. Noting that nearly 1.7 million persons out of the population have various disabilities, Premadasa said they have to face difficulties in meeting their needs such as when accessing medical facilities, education and employment activities due to the deficiencies in the public facilities in Sri Lanka. 

“The needs and skills of people with disabilities should be recognised and efforts should be made to involve them in all welfare and development processes aimed at citizens of the country,” he said. “For that, the physical and policy obstacles faced by the community with disabilities should be removed. The Government should also take the initiative to give them the support they need to overcome their challenges,” he added. 

Accordingly, under standing orders 27(2) Premadasa posed several questions to the Government. He sought an explanation as to why the Government has failed to implement the National Action Plan on persons with disabilities and why it has also failed to present to parliament the new bill, which was amended in accordance with the criteria mentioned in Article 33 of the United Nations Charter on Persons with Disabilities. 

Posing another question, Premadasa asked “Sign language is essential for hearing-impaired people to fulfil their needs. Why was the currently drafted sign language bill not submitted to parliament? When is this bill expected to be submitted to Parliament?”

He also sought information on how many sign language interpreters are available in the state sector today. “Does the Government think this is enough? If not, will the Government work to recruit more sign language interpreters in the future?” he asked. 

He also questioned the Government on its plans to provide school and vocational education for children with special needs as well as accessibility issues faced by persons with disabilities and issues relating to the Rs. 5000 allowances provided by the Government.