President tells disabled servicemen:

You are the real heroes

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday paid his heart felt tribute to the country’s disabled war heroes saying although they were physically handicapped, today they have displayed their giant strength before the world.

“Although you are today disabled I am eternally grateful to the strength you all gave me as the leader who defeated the most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world,” he told the disabled war heroes at a function at Temple Trees to mark World Disability Day. A special stamp too was issued to mark the event. The President said there were various groups who come to meet him, some ask wage increases and threaten to go on strike. Others ask for promotions and threaten to stage a work-to-rule.

There were others who come to him demanding big positions. If not they say they are going to work for the Opposition at the next election.

Although such threats were made they were able to get together and resolve their issues.

“However of all such groups, you are the only ones who have been able to hold your head high and live with dignity and self respect. You too have the same rights as they to live with dignity. What you ask is not sympathy but the right to exist. I like to remind you that I will always respect and pay heed to this request,” President Rajapaksa said.

He said during the recent past there were those who sacrificed their eyes in the battle front so that the rest could witness a country which was in tact.

“There were also those who sacrificed their legs so that we can today walk freely on our soil. These are the real heroes,” the President said.

“We have now put in motion a program to look into your well-being and welfare. That is a duty cast on us. You have the right to decide if I am capable of accomplishing this task. That decision lies with you.

The President said one of the yardsticks by which a society is judged is the way in which that society treats its disabled. “Going by such a barometer I am certain that our country is up there on the top. We will endeavour to provide you with a life that would enable you to live with self-respect,” President Rajapaksa said.

He said: “Under the Mahinda Chintana we promised to provide each family of a disabled, Rs. 3,000. We also provided Rs. 100,000 on a monthly repayment basis and taken steps to grant relief based on age limits.

There are between 10-12 percent of disabled persons in the country. But it appears that you all did not receive proper attention because you were not provided with easy entry facilities to Government offices.

“We have now ordered all State institutions to design entrances so as to facilitate entry to disabled persons.

The Urban Development Authority and the Central Environment Authority have been specifically tasked to ensure that all public institutions adhere to this requirement.”

Instructions too have gone out to build railway platforms to facilitate the accommodation of disabled persons.

The Northern railway track that is now under construction will ensure easy access to trains for the disabled, he said.