SLHRC requests Mangala to allocate funds to make state buildings accessible for differently abled

The Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) has submitted a request to Minister Mangala Samaraweera to allocate a budgetary stipluation to make state buildings and transport accessible to differently abled persons.

Addressing a letter to the Finance Minister the SLHRC said that the lack of access to public buildings can have a negative effect on a person's life and education.

The commission pointed out an example of an undergraduate student who had filed a complaint for not being able to pursue his education at the Indigeneous Medicine Institute at the Colombo University, due to the lack of accessibility.

Further, the letter drew reference to Article 12 (4) of the constitution which says that special measures should be taken for the advancement of persons with physical disabilities.

In addtion, the SLHRC had recalled the Accessibility Regulation No. 01 of 2006 which stated that all public buildings and places must facilitate accessibility for the differently abled, within three years of the regulation coming into effect.

The letter noted that although 12 years have passed since the regulation was implemented, no such measures have been taken to that effect.