'Builders must consider disabled persons'
Sarath MALALASEKERA
The Supreme Court held that those who did not comply with the Court
order earlier, should be punished in the future and directed the
building construction authorities to issue a certificate of conformity
when approving construction plans of public buildings enacting provision
for disabled persons.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice Asoka de Silva, Justice Nimal
Gamini Amaratunga and Justice K Sripavan made this order on an
application by Dr Ajith C Perera, an intellectual and a professional who
is also disabled, that an earlier Court order had not been complied
with, by the authorities.
The Supreme Court directed that the building constructors when
constructing public buildings should make provision for access to
disabled persons, expectant mothers and elderly persons to these
buildings.
Dr Perera in his lengthy submission to Court stated that even though
an order had been issued by the Court on October 14, 2009 following a
fundamental rights application filed by him, the direction had not been
implemented by the authorities.
Dr Perera cited Social Service and Social Welfare Minister and the
National Council for Persons with Disabilities chairman, the Ministry
Secretary and several others as respondents.
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