Recognise abilities of disabled, says President

Wehelle Piyathilake, Maharagama special corr.

Without looking at disabled persons as objects of charity, it is necessary to recognise their abilities and provide them opportunities to enhance their talents. So they could contribute as equal citizens to the development of the country.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said so in a message sent to a ceremony to mark 'International Day of the Disabled' held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute recently.

Addressing the gathering the chief guest of the occasion and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Lionel Premasiri said, "Persons with different disabilities are also part and parcel of our society.

It is the responsibility of every Government to provide equal rights to the persons with disabilities for them to be able to live a dignified life as others in society. The theme of this year was 'Decent work for persons with disabilities'. Giving opportunities for decent work is not only provides them freedom, dignity and security but also helps to wipe out the social stigmas that still exist in our society.

"Disability is not inability. Mahinda Chinthanaya says the persons with disabilities should be given all the facilities enjoyed by the ordinary people.

"Our ministry had made many attempts to introduce various fields for the promotion of persons with disabilities and to exhibit their skills and talents, the message said.

Secretary to the Ministry, Vijayalaxami Jegarasasingham said: During the past decade several programmes were launched in respect of co-existence of the persons with disabilities. We have taken action to provide employment to some visually impaired persons.

We have also taken steps to teach braille language and to propagate sign language by providing the services of sign language translators. We are being in the process of implementing programmes to ensure and protect the rights of persons with disabilities as set forth in the 'Mahinda Chinthanaya' policy, she said.

The year 2007 was declared as 'Accessibility Year' and Regulations on Accessibility Provisions was passed by the Parliament giving a three years period to make all the private and government buildings accessible for persons with disabilities. The programme is in action now.

The director of the persons with disabilities secretariat M. A. Alam briefed the services rendered to the persons with disabilities during the year 2007.

The Additional Secretary to the Ministry Yamuna Chitrangani made the welcome speech.