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2024-06-11

News Categories : Committee News 

The Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities intervenes to finalize the draft of the new bill with provisions including the establishment of a new commission for the disabled community

  • Officials were informed to make a Presentation on the final draft of Bill by June 14

 

The Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Dullas Alahapperuma, urged all relevant parties, to take immediate steps to finalize the new bill which includes provisions including the establishment of a new commission to secure the rights of the disabled community. The chair also  informed the officials to submit the final draft Bill to the caucus by June 14.

He informed this when the caucus met in parliament recently under his chairmanship and the State Minister of Social Empowerment, Hon. Anupa Pascual was also present.

It was also revealed that this bill is prepared according to the United Nations Charter for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The chairman of the caucus also pointed out that the Ministry of Women, Children Affairs and Social Empowerment and the Ministry of Justice should jointly draft this Bill.

The committee chair emphasized the need to end this matter quickly with the intervention of all parties including the Legal Draftsman’s Department, the Attorney General's Department, and the Ministry of Justice. He also mentioned that  the final Bill can be prepared following the  opinions of other relevant parties.

He also informed that the full guidance and blessing of the Minister of Justice is received for these activities and informed the officials to make a presentation before the caucus regarding the final Bill by June 14.

Also, the chair said that he will immediately take steps to meet the minister in charge of the subject, the Hon. President, to discuss the existing issues.

It was revealed that there are currently 27 schools for the education of children with disabilities. Thus, attention was also paid to the Supplementary Schools and Training Colleges Act No. 8 of 1961, which governs these schools, and the provisions that should be amended.

Members of Parliament Hon. Madhura Withanage, Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe and Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya and representatives of the Disability Organizations Joint Front (DOJF) , a group of officials representing the Ministry of Children Affairs and Social Empowerment, the Legal Draftsman’s Department, the Attorney General's Department and the Ministry of Justice were present on the occasion.

 

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