Financial Times

Corporates need to support the disabled - PM
By Quintus Perera
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said last week that though 1.7 million in Sri Lanka are considered to be disabled, government agencies wouldn't be able to provide them support in rehabilitation and hence needs support from the corporate sector.

He made these remarks while speaking as Chief Guest at the National Dirijaya Awards initiated by the Chartered Management Institute UK-Sri Lanka Branch (CMI) at the Galle Face Hotel. This is the first such event by the CMI aimed at recognizing the talents and contribution to society by the disabled.

Rajapakse said that for any country to sustain development, the disabled should be provided with facilities while they are also entitled to equal protection under the law. He said that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming significant in corporate business agenda.

The CMI objective of presenting a programme to recognize the disabled achievers is to bring to public focus and attention that the disabled are not helpless and not looking for charity and sympathy but empathy. They would be winners on their own accord in many fields and can achieve the highest levels of excellence.

The winners in the different categories were: Entrepreneurship joint winners - J D Premadasa and M M R S Marasinghe; Sports - Maj H R Wickramesinghe; Creative and Performing Arts - V H Perera; Academic Achievement - Chaminda Wedige; Professional Achievement, Distinguished Service to the Disabled Community by a Disabled person - S L Hetttiarachchi and the Most Disabled-Friendly Employer - C E I Plastics.

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