Sign Language Bill to be presented to Parliament – Minister

A Sign Language Bill will be presented to the Parliament in the future, the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Dr. Upali Pannilage said.

The Minister made this statement to the media before departing Sri Lanka to attend the 35th Session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), held under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The session is scheduled to be held today (14) and tomorrow (15) at the United Nations Office at Geneva in Switzerland.

During the session, Sri Lanka’s initial report on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is scheduled to be reviewed.

Minister Pannilage stressed that the new government has taken several policy decisions for persons with disabilities over the past 18 months and has carried out extensive work to improve their welfare.

He noted that, for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history, a person with a disability has been appointed to Parliament through the National List. The parliamentarian also serves as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities and is actively contributing to the legislative process.

The Minister further said Cabinet approval has been granted to amend the existing legislation on the rights of persons with disabilities, and the proposed amendments have now been referred to the Attorney General’s Department.

He added that several line ministries, including those responsible for education, transport, housing and water supply, are working jointly to address the needs of persons with disabilities.