Disability Organizations Joint Font (DOJF) with the support of NDI and MyRight, organized a program to sensitize parliamentarians about the importance of passing the Draft Disability Right Draft Bill and the Sign Language Bill in Parliament and to sensitize about the issues of persons with disabilities on 08th September 2022 at Monarch Imperial Hotel, Battaramulla.
Addressing the audience , Chairman of the DOJF, Mr. Nihal Paranagama, made the introduction about the program. After that, Mrs. Rasanjali Pathirage, Secretary General of the DOJF, explained the need for an Act on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and legal reforms. Mr. Sugath Wasantha De Silva, former chairman of the DOJF, explained about the need for coordination and regulatory mechanism and the establishment of focal points at the ministry level. Mr. Tikiri Kumara Jayawardena, a member of the DOJF and a member of NCPD, explained the need for a National Commission for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities. Mr. Brian Susantha, a member of the NCPD and the DOJF, addressed the audience and shared his views on the sign language bill.
The program was attended by 22 state ministers, former ministers and members of parliament representing all parties. Among them former Parliament Speaker and former Deputy Speaker were there. They were stated that full support will be given in the parliament to the Disability Right Bills which was discussed in this discussion. In addition, it was stated that special attention will be paid to the issues of persons with disabilities.
The program was also attended by local representatives of international organizations such as NDI, USAID, IFES and MyRight, PAFFREL and SLPI.
