'Builders must consider disabled persons'

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Supreme Court held that those who did not comply with the Court order earlier, should be punished in the future and directed the building construction authorities to issue a certificate of conformity when approving construction plans of public buildings enacting provision for disabled persons.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice Asoka de Silva, Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga and Justice K Sripavan made this order on an application by Dr Ajith C Perera, an intellectual and a professional who is also disabled, that an earlier Court order had not been complied with, by the authorities.

The Supreme Court directed that the building constructors when constructing public buildings should make provision for access to disabled persons, expectant mothers and elderly persons to these buildings.

Dr Perera in his lengthy submission to Court stated that even though an order had been issued by the Court on October 14, 2009 following a fundamental rights application filed by him, the direction had not been implemented by the authorities.

Dr Perera cited Social Service and Social Welfare Minister and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities chairman, the Ministry Secretary and several others as respondents.