Colombo (AsiaNews) - Disabled people in Sri Lanka are among the most vulnerable and marginalised sectors of the population, with little attention from the government or society. This is why the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), together with seven organisations of people with disabilities and other civil society groups, organised a national summit entitled "Inclusion of Disability". The event was held from 18 to 20 March in Negombo, to undertake joint actions and awareness programmes to combat misconceptions about people with disabilities.
From the summit, there was a strong demand to implement laws and bills, passed but not implemented, for people with disabilities. "During the last presidential election, the only demand made by persons with disabilities to the present President Rajapaksha was to adopt the UN Charter for Persons with Disabilities in Sri Lanka as well.
But so far they have not received any response from the President," says Geetha Lakmini. This is one of the reasons why since 2017 the Pamunugama Young Christian Association has endeavoured to work closely with the disabled communities in Sri Lanka, for example by providing education to 15 children with disabilities.
Lakmini continues,"the number of disabled people, are increasing every year, but they receive no help from the government." In Sri Lanka, the last census on people with disabilities was conducted in 2011 and reported 8.5 per cent of the population as disabled. Today the figure is expected to have risen to 10-12%, with more than 2.4 million people with disabilities.
Mohammad Yeish, chairman of the Self Help Group for Persons with Disabilities of the Matara Dickwella division secretariat, also confirms the urgent need for a database. Yeish, who is in a wheelchair due to an accident, added: "Being here was an opportunity to meet and build a good relationship between people with disabilities.
"Their disability is not an obstacle to life," concluded Neesha Sharif, president of Kandy-based disability organisation We for Rights. "However, society should change its attitude towards them and listen to their voices in order to implement policy decisions aimed at them."
