State officials must learn braille, sign languages - Minister Devananda

A ceremony to award certificates to 24 staff officials who successfully completed the six month training course in Braille and Sign Languages was held at the Social Services and Social Welfare Ministry, Colombo.

The certificates were awarded by Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda on whose instructions the training course was conducted to enable the staff to get engaged in a meaningful and result oriented dialogue with persons with disabilities. The Minister said this training course would pave way for State officials to understand persons with disabilities better and respond positively to their needs.

“Having this in mind, I instructed to initiate it,” the Minister said. Minister Devananda said arrangements are in place to continue this program and therefore, State officials should submit their applications for enrolment, realizing the program’s importance.

Course trainer S.K. Subasinghe said 19 officials have obtained distinction passes at the examination, indicating the interest and commitment the trainees had displayed.

Many books done in Braille language were presented to the Minister by the awardees.