Give the deaf their due

Rasika Somarathna

Colombo: Hear our voice-What we need is recognition and not sympathy. The voice of the deaf spoke out at the BMICH last Sunday sending their message loud and clear to the masses, emphasising the need for equal treatment and status in society.

The deaf made their clarion call at the All Island Speaker of the Year Contest for the deaf youth, at the BMICH last Sunday under the patronage of Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva.

The event was organised by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Negombo.

The Chief Justice appealing to all authorities to give the deaf their due place in society said: "Take confidence in your abilities, even if you have lost your voice you can use other senses to overcome that disability, develop them to achieve higher status in life".

"Even the present conflict could be partially attributed to the language differences we have. You all have got a universal language which has been used by humans from time immemorial, at one time or another we all have used sign language. If we all had a common language we would have found the answer to many of the ills that our country faces now. Challenge your limitations, take it as a catalyst for success," the Chief Justice said.

The competition had been held throughout the island and the finals had 10 competitors.

The winner was Brian Susantha, the second place went to Wasool Haq and the third place was won by M.N. Perera.