August 13, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s progress in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities is set to come under international scrutiny when the country presents its first report under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Geneva.
The review will take place during the 35th session of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, scheduled for August 14 and 15 at the UN Human Rights headquarters in Switzerland.
A Sri Lankan government delegation led by Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr Upali Pannilage will represent the country at the proceedings.
The delegation will include Ministry Secretary Sampath Manthrinayake, Additional Solicitor General Kanishka de Silva Balapatabendi of the Attorney General’s Department and Thilini Jayasekara, Director of the United Nations and Human Rights Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Representatives from other ministries and state institutions involved in implementing the Convention are also expected to join the proceedings remotely.
Speaking before the delegation’s departure, Minister Pannilage said the Government had introduced several policy measures during the past 18 months aimed at strengthening the welfare, participation and rights of persons with disabilities.
Among the developments highlighted by the Minister was the appointment, for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history, of a person with a disability to Parliament through the National List.
The parliamentarian is also serving as Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, giving disability-related issues a direct presence within the legislative process, according to the Minister.
The Government has also secured Cabinet approval to amend the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. The proposed amendments have subsequently been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for consideration.
A separate Sign Language Bill has also received Cabinet approval and is expected to be presented to Parliament in due course.
Pannilage further said several ministries were working jointly to improve access to essential services for people with disabilities, with areas including education, transport, housing and water supply being addressed through coordinated efforts.
The Geneva review will provide the UN committee with an opportunity to examine Sri Lanka’s implementation of its obligations under the Convention and assess the progress made in translating policy commitments into practical protections and greater inclusion for persons with disabilities.
The post Sri Lanka’s Disability Rights Record to Face UN Review in Geneva appeared first on LNW Lanka News Web.
