'Make accessibility facility for differently-abled at Private Sector buildings'

Sarath Malalasekera

The Supreme Court requested the Attorney General recently to follow up with the Social Services Ministry to ensure the circular dated October 4, 2012 issued by the Ministry Secretary concerning the establishment of accessibility facility at public buildings also cover the Private Sector public buildings.

The ministry circular along with the Supreme Court Order of April 2007, the gazetted accessibility regulations and the Cabinet paper of April 18, 2009 notifies only the Secretaries of the Government Ministries, District Secretaries and the Chief Secretaries of the Provincial Councils.

The Supreme Court made this request in hearing the submissions of Public Interest Litigation Fundamental Rights Application filed by Accessibility Activist Dr. Ajith CS Perera.

Dr. Ajith Perera appeared on a wheelchair made these oral submissions before the Supreme Court consisting of Chief Justice Mohan Piris PC, Justice Chandra Ekanayake and Justice Sathya Hettige PC.