Archives

Social welfare Ministry implements programs beneficial to disabled community

by Nadira Gunatilleke

The Social Welfare Ministry implements programs for the benefit of the disabled community with the collaboration of other institutions in the public and private sectors. The opportunities for the disabled to engage in skilful arts and competitions are rare and still more, only a very few get the opportunity to see their talents, Social Welfare Minister Ravindra Samaraweera said.

He was addressing the awards presentation of the Ambilympics Sri Lanka 2001 held at the BMICH, Colombo recently. Minister Smaraweera said that if more publicity was given for these types of contests, individuals and organisations would come forward to help them more. The Minister reiterated that his Ministry would give whatever assistance needed by those people. "I hope to send a team of the disabled to the International Ambilympics in 2003", he added.

Ministry Secretary Ms.Viji Jegarasasingam said that the Social Welfare Ministry in its long history was looked upon as a Ministry providing assistance in the event of a flood, drought or to a needy few. But today the Ministry serves about 40 per cent of the entire population through its nine institutions by providing vocational training on numerous trades.

"Ranaviruwo" musical group consisting disabled soldiers provided music for the occasion. Disabled girls trained at the Seeduwa Vocational Training Centre presented a musical recital. Ambilympics Sri Lanka 2001 contained several competitions in different fields such as handicraft production, sewing, carpentry, electronics, beauty culture, gem cutting and batik industry. 

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager