INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, MP Dullas Alahapperuma said in a press conference that as justice
has not been served for the disabled community in Sri Lanka so far, they will stand for them regardless of party politics.This press
conference was organized in Colombo recently, in line with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which falls on December 03,
and the press conference was attended by Members of Parliament, Disabled Organizations Joint Front, Commissioner General of Elections,
Election Monitoring Organizations and Civil Organizations, the Parliamentary Communications Department said.According to the request made by
several parties including the Disability Organizations Joint Front, the members of all parties of the Parliament established this caucus
last September irrespective of political differences, the Chairman said
He also assured that the caucus will stand up for the rights of the disabled people inside and outside the Parliament.Alahapperuma further
few buses for the disabled as a pilot project
The chairman also expressed his gratitude to the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for bringing this proposal.The chairman of the caucus
pointed out that although Sri Lanka signed the United Nations Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2006, we are far
behind compared to developed countries
Thus, Dullas Alahapperuma said that it is the intention of his caucus to create coordination between the disabled community and policy
makers by appearing collectively in policy making.He also pointed out that since the needs of the disabled community are linked with various
government institutions, departments, etc., the aim of this new caucus is to stand for them and become their voice by coordinating all
together.Speaking at the event, Commissioner General of Elections Saman Ratnayake, said that in the next national election, steps will be
attention will be given to the needs of the hearing-impaired community and the accessibility of the disabled community in the polling
Ratnayake also said that steps will be taken to provide an ID card to the disabled community.Mrs
parliamentary caucus on behalf of their voices on September 6
She also pointed out that people with disabilities in this country do not have access to public transport including buses and trains, as
there are no facilities in many public places in this country
She also drew attention to the fact that people with disabilities are being badly abused and the obstacles to education.Therefore, she
emphasized the need to draft a new law that legally enforces the rights of people with disabilities and pointed out that people with
disabilities should also be represented in politics
She also said that the chairman of the caucus Dullas Alahapperuma is highly commendable for his contribution to the disabled community as a
emphasized here.Also, Brian Kingston, a visually impaired student who has passed the G.C.E Ordinary Level examination with flying colours
and currently studying advanced in biology stream at Ananda College, Colombo, addressed the press conference and expressed issues related to
his community.Member of Parliament Premnath Dolawatta, who participated in this event, presented his visiting card prepared with Braille
Sudarshini Fernandopulle, its Co-Vice-Chairperson, Rohini Kumari Wijeratne, Members of Parliament Dr
Harini Amarasuriya, K.P.S Kumarasiri, Udayana kirindigoda, Mr
Rohana Hettiarachchi, Director of PAFFEREL, Mrs
Shyama Salgadu, Director of NDI were also present on this occasion, it added.The event was organized with the financial support of USAID and
the support of NDI, according to the Parliamentary Communications Department.
