847th Meeting, 35th Session, Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

I call to order the 847th meeting of the Committee on the rights of persons with disabilities.
The committee will now proceed with agenda item five, consideration of the reports submitted by state party under Article 35 of the convention.
This morning, the committee will begin its consideration of the periodic reports of Sri Lanka.
I have the honor to warmly welcome the Distinguished delegation of Sri Lanka headed by doctor Opali Panila, Honorable Minister of the Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.
I also warmly welcome The other members of distinguished delegations, I note that NHRI of Sri Lanka are participating remotely through the video conference.
I also welcome doctor Geehan Kunatilake, Commissioner of the Human Rights Commissioner of Sri Lanka.
The task support team for Sri Lanka is comprised of the committee, Mr.
Hirotaon, miss G Door, and miss Immaculaa Plonta Ferrero.
Before beginning the dialogue, I would like to briefly explain the working method that we will follow.
For each cluster, the dialogue will proceed through two rounds of question and answers.
In the first round, member of the task force will raise questions and distinguished delegation will be given the opportunity to respond.
In the second round, the floor will be open to committee members who are not member of the task force, together with one member of the task force for additional and follow up questions.
The distinguished delegation will again be given the opportunity to listen.
I would therefore like to emphasize that participation in the dialogue is not limited to member of the task force.
The second round is specific intended to ensure the participation of other committee expert.
I will managing the time closely with the support of the Secretariat so that both rounds are fully respected.
This morning, we will first hear the opening statement of the head of delegation, followed by the intervention of the National Human Rights Institution.
We will then proceed to close the one covering Article 1 to nine and Article 31 to 33.
The first 60 minutes will be devoted to the first round with member of the task force.
This will be followed by 30 minutes for the second round with non task force members and one member of the task force.
After a 10 minutes break, we will begin close to two covering Article 10 to 20.
We will use the final 40 minutes of this morning's meeting to begin the 60 minute round under close to two.
The remaining 20 minutes of that first round will continue at the beginning of the afternoon meeting.
Once the first round has been complete, the second round will be open to non task force member and one member of the task force.
I kindly ask all committee member and distinguished delegations to respect the allocated time and to keep questions and listen focused and cons.
We will now begin the dialogue.
I now have the honor to give the floor to the head of delegation, doctor Balian Nilgi, Honorable Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, for his opening state.
Honorable Minister, you have the floor.
Good morning, Madam Chair, distinguished members of the committee, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.
It is my honor to lead the Sri Lankan delegation to this dialogue with the Committee on the Right of Persons with Disabilities and to present Sri Lanka's initsia report under the Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities.
Delegation, both present here in Geneva and joining virtually from Colombo comprises senior officials from relevant ministries, government institutions, and agencies responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies and programs relating to the rights of persons with disabilities.
Sri Lanka recognizes that advancing the rights of persons with disabilities is a cross cutting concern and require a holistic approach.
Accordingly, my delegation includes representatives from Ministry of rural Development, Social Security, and community empowerment, Attorney General's Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreign Employment and Tourism, and the Offic of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office and other international organization in Geneva present here with me today.
My members of the delegation joining virtually from Colombo include the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Justice and National Integration, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Public Administration, provincial councils and local government, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Ministry of Buddhas Center, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, Sri Lanka Police, Department of Census and Statistics, Department of Manpower and Employment, Department of Probation and Childcare, National Child Protection Authority, Disaster Management Center, National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka.
Urban Development Authority, Election Commission of Sri Lanka, National Institute of Mental Health, Department of Presons, Department of Immigration and Immigration, Sri Lanka National Mine Action Center, National Secretariat for Person with Disabilities, and Department of Social Services.
Madam Chair, as a state party to all nine core Human Rights conventions, Sri Lanka has demonstrated a steppar commitment to protecting and promoting human rights through decade of consistent, transparent, and meaningful engagement with the United Nations Human Rights mechanisms.
It is in this spirit that Sri Lanka engage with the treaty bodies within the framework of voluntary international commitments undertaken by us, the special procedures, the UN Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights.
The most recent example of Sri Lanka's engagement with the treaty bodies was active participation in the Isia review under the International Convention for the Protection of all persons en posed disappearances, CD in September 2025.
Prior to that, in February 2025, Sri Lanka engaged with the committee on the elimination of all perms of discrimination against women, CDO, for the review of its ninth report under the CIDO Sri Lanka welcomes this opportunity to engage with the committee on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities.
The importance we place on our engagement with the UN in this area is signified by the delegation participation in the dialogue headed by me as the subject minister.
We approach this review in the spirit of openness, constructive engagement and partnership.
We do not consider treaty body reporting as a formal obligation.
Rather, we see it as a useful opportunity to take stock of progress to identify gaps, and to strengthen national implementation in consultation with persons with disabilities and their representative organizations.
Madam Chair, Sri Lanka ratified the Convention on the right of persons with disabilities in 2016 and has since remained state part in its commitment to aligning its national legislation, policies, programs, and institutional mechanism with the obligations arising under the convention.
In 2019, Sri Lanka submitted its initial report outlining the measures taken and the progress achieved in promoting and protecting the rights of person with disabilities.
In December 2025, we submitted our responses to the committee's list of issues, and the reporting process itself became a valuable opportunity for reflection, enabling us to review national policies, identify areas requiring further attention, and strengthen our engagement with the organizations of persons with disabilities and civil society.
This process has reinforced our commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities through sustained legislative, administrative, and policy reforms.
Complemented by targeted social Pionel and we pay MSS.
Since the submission of its initial report, Sri Lanka has navigated a series of unprecedented challenges, including the Easter Sunday Day terrorist attack in 2019, the COVID 19 pandemic, an unprecedented socioeconomic crisis in 2022, and the socioeconomic impacts of cyclone Vita in 2025.
This event placed significant demands on our institutions, economy, and people.
Yet, despite these extraordinary circumstances, Sri Lanka has remained resilient and steps in its commitment to upholding democratic governance and advancing the rights and well being of all its people, including persons with disabilities.
On 23, September 2024, following a pre Pan peaceful election and a dignified transition of power in keeping with our decade of democratic practices, President Anand Danaka was sworn in as Sri Lanka's ninth executive president.
The result of the parliamentary election held in November 2024 reflected a collective and unified voice from people of all regions of the country and all ethnicities and religions, supporting with an overwhelming mandate, the government's vision for positive transformation and rejection of divisive policies.
In November 2024, Sri Lanka formed one of the most inclusive parliament in its history, including a record number of women and representatives of different communities.
The government is deeply committed to inclusivity, ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal representation in all areas of public life.
Translating this into vision Into action, honorable Sugata Santa D Silla made history as the first person with a disability nominated to the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
This was an important initial step in ensuring that the voices of persons with disabilities are heard and their views are incorporated in decision making processes.
This is consistent with the government vision of a Thriving Nation a beautiful life and its commitment to an unempyed social life, a fair and equitable approach.
Where persons with disabilities are empowered to live with dignity, equality, independence, and full participation in society.
Another important development in the policy space was the establishment of the parliamentary caucus for persons with disabilities on 11 March 2025, under the chairmanship of Honorable Sugata Sansa, this has strengthened disability inclusive governance and parliamentary oversight in this area.
Since its establishment, the caucus has actively engaged with government ministries, disability organizations, education authorities, development partners, and the United Nations system to review national priorities and advanced reforms in areas such as inclusive education, employment, accessibility, social protection, and the proposed new disability rights legislation.
Madam Chair, the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Committee Empowerment, together with the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities, and the Department of Social Services, continue to implement programs to promote the well being and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
These include livelihood support, housing, education, and medical assistance, financial assistance, vocational support, and provision of assistive devices, particularly targeting persons with disabilities from vulnerable backgrounds.
The National Council for Persons with Disabilities established under the protection of the right of person with Disability Act number 28 1996, comprises representatives of persons with disabilities.
It provides overall guidance and coordination in advancing the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities, while supporting the implementation of disability inclusive policies and programs through the National Secretariat for persons with disabilities.
In addition, several national Pocal ministries, including those responsible for health, education, labor and employment, transport, and other related areas, contribute to advancing the inclusion, protection, and well being of persons with disabilities through sector specific policies, programs and services.
Sri Lanka's pre and universal education and health care systems which have been in place since the country gained independence have ensured that persons with disabilities, even from low income backgrounds, have access to high quality education and health care without discrimination.
Sri Lanka is engaged in the process of advancing a range of legislative policy and institutional reform to strengthen the rights and promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
These include the dropping of a new protection of the right to persons with disabilities, bill with align with the CRPD, proposed Sign Language legislation, implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty through the International Intellectual Property Act, review of Accessibility regulation, development of disability disaggregated data systems, updating of the National Disability Policy and action plan, strengthening of the community based rehabilitation program, and measures to improve accessible public transportation.
Together, these initiatives aim to promote dignity, independence, participation, and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Madam Chair, Sri Lanka remained firmly committed to advancing the full realization of the rights of persons with disabilities through a coordinated, right based, and inclusive approach.
Measures are underway to consider the establishment of an independent commission on the rights of persons with disabilities in line with the condensation of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Sri Lanka's parliamentary caucus for persons with disabilities has urged the government to make disability inclusion a priority across the 2027 national budget.
Following Sri Lanka's first national participatory budget consultation with persons with disabilities in May 2026, the Caucus developed 234 budget proposals and six key policy recommendations.
These have been submitted to the Secretary to the President and to the Secretary to the Treasury and Finance Ministry.
There has been a significant increase of disability inclusive budgetary allocation during the last five years 2022-2026.
For example, approximately, es 48 billion was allocated in 2022, and this was increased to 81 billion in 2026.
Endeavors are being made to enhance this allocation for the coming years.
In keeping with our commitments, we continue to enhance key initiatives, including expanding community based care and rehabilitation services.
We also continue to focus on improving access to care and skill development centers and upgrading residential care facilities for homeless persons with intellectual impairments.
These investments are focused on promoting disability inclusive social protection, improving service delivery, and ensuring that persons with disabilities can live with dignity, independence, and are afforded equal opportunities.
In a significant move, a national initiative has been launched in the form of the National Accessibility Audit.
Coordinated by the National Secretariat for persons with disabilities with the active participation of persons with disabilities, to assess accessibility to national infrastructure and guide relevant improvements in government buildings and public facilities.
Further, budgetary allocations have been made to produce 100 and low power buses with facilities for the person with disabilities and drivers with sign language training to conduct sensitivity programs and attitude development initiatives.
Sri Lanka remains committed to advancing gender equity and protecting the rights of women, girl and children with disabilities through inclusive and right based measures.
The government continues to strengthen access to education, social protection, leadership opportunities, and economic empowerment, while promoting women's participation in decision making and enhancing support for children with disabilities through inclusive education and community based services.
Sri Lanka has introduced a 25% quota for women in local government institutions.
While leadership and political training programs encourage the participation of women, including women with disabilities in public decision making.
Sri Lanka recognizes that despite our efforts, challenges remain, and we are committed to addressing them through stronger coordination among government institutions, closer collaboration with provincial councils, local authorities, organizations of persons with disabilities and development partners.
Our focus Remain building a more inclusive society by strengthening education, employment opportunities, accessibility, community based rehabilitation, social care services, independent living, disaster preparedness, and disability inclusive social protection.
Through this continued efforts, Sri Lanka is determined to transform the principles of the CRPD into meaningful action, ensuring that every person with a disability can enjoy their rights on an equal basis with, with others and live with dignity, independence, and full participation in society.
Sri Lanka is taking steps to improve evidence based policy making.
Preparation are underway to collect comprehensive national data on persons with disabilities.
We will continue to work with the United Nations, its organization, its special agencies, and its development partners in advancing disability inclusion.
Sri Lanka is honored to have been elected as the chair of the 18th and 19th sessions of the Conference of state parties to the CRPD.
This recognition replace the international community's competence in Sri Lanka's commitment to advancing the objective of the convention, fostering constructive dialogue and strengthening international cooperation.
Madam Chair, Sri Lanka reiterates its full commitment to the Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities.
We are determined to move from policy to implementation, from access to participation and from inclusion in principle to inclusion in daily life.
In this effort, we will continue to work with persons with disabilities, their representative organization, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Parliament, civil society, development partners, and the United Nations system to strengthen our national framework.
Sri Lanka extend its sincere appreciation to the Secretariat for the arrangement made for this constructive dialogue and in particular for permitting hybrid modalities.
This flexibility has enabled Sri Lanka to ensure the meaningful participation of a broadly representative delegation, including officials represented here in Geneva, as well as colleagues joining online from Colombo.
In conclusion, we look forward to a constructive and useful dialogue, and we look forward to receiving the committee's observation and recommendation as we continue our efforts to ensure that all persons with disabilities in Sri Lanka can live with dignity, equality, and full participation in society.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, Honorable Minister, for your opening statement.
Now, I give the floor to doctor Kaag Natali Lake, commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, for his opening remarks by free recorded video.
Madam Chair and distinguished members of the committee, my name is Ghon Gltelika and I'm one of the commissioners of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka sincerely appreciates the opportunity to address the committee on the rights of persons with disabilities during its consideration of Sri Lanka's initial report under the Convention.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka is the country's independent national Human Rights institution established under the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act number 21 of 1996.
In fulfilling our mandate, we monitor the implementation of the convention through investigations, consultations, accessibility audits, policy advocacy, and engagement with organizations of persons with disabilities across the country.
Since submitting our parallel report in 2024, the commission has continued to monitor developments and has provided the committee with a supplementary report containing additional updated information.
Madam Chair, we wish to acknowledge several positive initiatives undertaken by the government of Sri Lanka, including budgetary allocations for disability related programs, efforts to improve accessible public transport, awareness programs for public officials, and policy initiatives in education and health.
However, we observed that the overall implementation of the convention remains slow and fragmented.
Our foremost concern is that despite Sri Lanka ratifying the Convention in 2060, comprehensive legislation incorporating the CRPD is still to be enacted.
Several draft bills have been prepared over the years, but have not been finalized.
In September 2023, the Commission presented observations and recommendations with respect to a draft Protection of the rights of persons with disabilities bill.
However, the bill is yet to be presented to Parliament.
We respectfully urge the committee to recommend that Sri Lanka expedite enactment of comprehensive legislation to fully incorporate the principles and obligations of the Convention.
Second, the Commission remains concerned that disability governance continues to be approached primarily from a social welfare perspective rather than a human rights perspective.
Effective implementation of the Convention requires strong coordination across all sectors of government.
We therefore reiterate our recommendation that the national coordination mechanism for implementation of the convention be placed within a central institution capable of ensuring a whole of government approach and a rights based approach.
Third, although numerous ministries have adopted disability related policies and action plans, Our consultations with persons with disabilities throughout the country, including through our subcommittee on the rights of persons with disabilities, consistently reveal that the implementation at the grassroots level remains inadequate.
Many persons with disability discrimination, inaccessible public services, and severe barriers to education, employment, healthcare, transportation, and justice, particularly in the rural plantation and conflict affected areas.
Accessibility continues to be one of the most significant challenges.
Despite existing legislation, regulations, and Supreme Court decisions recognizing accessibility rights, compliance remains inconsistent.
The Commission has established accessibility audit teams in every district and has conducted nationwide accessibility assessments.
Based on these findings, we have recommended stronger monitoring mechanisms, stricter enforcement of accessibility standards, improved accessible transport, inclusive digital services, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in planning and implementation coursees.
Madam Chair, The Commission also wishes to draw attention to several groups requiring particular protection.
Women with disabilities continue to experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and require greater access to protection services, accessible shelters, reproductive health care, and economic opportunities.
Children with disabilities continue to encounter significant barriers to inclusive education due to the inadequate resources, insufficient trained teachers, inaccessible infrastructure, and limited support services.
We also remain concerned about the situation of persons with disabilities during disasters and humanitarian emergencies.
Our monitoring following cyclone DPA revealed that many temporary shelters and emergency relief mechanisms were not accessible or responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities.
Moreover, reliable disability data remains inadequate.
For example, existing data collection methodologies do not capture children below the age of five and fail to provide comprehensive information necessary for evidence based policy making.
Finally, the Commission is concerned that the current national monitoring arrangements do not fully satisfy the independence requirements of Article 33, paragraph two of the Convention.
We respectfully recommend the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism that complies with both the Convention and the Paris principles.
Madam Chairman and distinguished committee members, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka remains committed to working organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society, and international partners to advance the full realization of the rights guaranteed under the Convention.
We thank the committee for its continued engagement and respectfully request that our findings and recommendations be taken into consideration during the constructive dialogue and in the committee's concluding observations.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, doctor Kunatilak, Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.
Now we will proceed to C one covering Article 129 and Article 31 to 33 of the convention.
The first 60 minutes will be devoted to the first lounge with members of the task force.
For this part of the round, I will give the floor to Mr.
Hirosh Tamon, the coordinator of the task force team for Sri Lanka.
Mr.
Talon, you have the floor for the opening remark.
Thank you, Madam Chair, Your Excellency's, distinguished representatives and civil society representatives.
On behalf of my task force colleagues, miss Gael Don Devorj and Immaculata Palencia Perreo, I extend a warm welcome to the head of delegation and the members of the delegation from Sri Lanka to this constructive dialogue.
We appreciate we appreciate the state's party's comprehensive report and would also like to acknowledge and thank the civil society organizations and organizations of Persons with Disabilities in Sri Lanka.
Their reports and contributions are invaluable to our dialogue and form the foundation of our work.
As a representative from Asia, it is a profound honor to welcome our friends from Sri Lanka, a country rich in history, cultural heritage, and resilient communities.
At the same time, we are deeply mindful of the complex socioeconomic challenges and economic recovery Sri Lanka has faced in the recent years.
We recognize that these circumstances present unique challenges in respecting, protecting, and fulfilling human rights, particularly for persons with disabilities.
The essence of our dialogue with Sri Lanka is to understand the challenges the country faces in meeting its obligations under the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to identify concrete opportunities to ensure that all persons with disabilities can fully exercise their human rights.
In this regard, we would like to pay tribute to Sri Lanka for its presidency of the 19th session of the Conference of States parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Furthermore, the committee welcomes the establishment by Sri Lanka of legislative and policy framework to advance the rights of persons with disabilities.
These would be including the National Social Protection Policy, the Women Empowerment Act Number seven of 2024, the Parliamentary Caucus on Disability Inclusion 2023, the amendment to the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act number ten of 2023, the Disability Unit of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka 2022, the Intellectual Property Amendment Act number eight of 2021.
As well as finally, the National Action Plan for the Protection and Promotion of human rights.
That's 2017 to 2021.
While these frameworks exist, the committee will inquire into the effectiveness of implementation measures taken, particularly in aligning domestic laws with human rights model of the CRPD and ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are fully realized in practice across all regions of Sri Lanka.
We will now begin the first round of questions for cluster one.
That is Articles one through nine and Articles 31 through 33.
Articles one through four.
Please explain what measures have been taken to expedite the enactment of the new legislation titled Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill.
Second, would you explain what measures are planned to ensure that the new bill explicitly recognizes and penalizes the denial of reasonable accommodations? Third, we have received information that the current legal definition of disability in the 1996 Act is based on a medical model rather than a human rights model.
For example, Section 37 of the 1996 Act defines disability as a result of any deficiency in his physical or mental capabilities is unable by himself to ensure for himself.
Would you explain what plans are being prepared to align this definition with human rights based model set out in Article 1 of the Convention? Question four.
We have been informed that consultation with OPDs remains ad hoc and lacks a permanent, adequately resourced mechanism.
Would you explain what measures the state will take to institutionalize structured and consistent consultation with representative organizations? These could include those at grassroots and sub national levels as required by Article 4, paragraph three.
Do you have any plans to ratify the optional protocol to the convention? That is all for Article 1 through four.
Thank you so much, Mr.
Talon.
Now I give the floor to the distinguished delegation to list to the question under Article 1 through four.
Thank you.
Thank you, Madam.
Thank you.
That's a very relevant question.
And also, thank you very much for the compliments to the work we have done.
So as mentioned in the questions, Sri Lanka actually remains firmly committed to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
So we sign the convention on the 30th, March 2027 and ratified it on eight February 20 2016, with the convention entering into Pot Sri Lanka in March 2016.
We understand the dropping of the right of persons with Disabilities Act took more time than we expected.
But since ratification, we have a We have we have conducted several consultation from the civil society organizations, disability rights organizations, and government ministes.
Sri Lanka has continuously strengthened its legal and institutional framework to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy their rights and on equal basis with others.
So therefore, the finalization of A is not I mean, it's not just finalizing because we need that.
So we took some time a mainly to get the views of different stakeholders.
A key priority is the development of new protection of the right of person with Disabilities Act, which currently is drafted.
It has been approved by the cabinet and it has been provided for the legal clearance to the legal Daftm division.
Those proposed legislation has now in line with the CRPD convention.
Regarding the terminologies you mentioned, we understand Initially, as in our 1996 Act, it has been used the medical model, but we understand the terminologies and the context has been changed since then.
Those days, medical model was the model that was accepted or the use by several organizations.
But later on, when the social model was accepted and through the social model, human right aspect has been considered.
Now our new bill a entirely considered human right aspect, and it ensure rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
The National our process of DPN bill include several round of discussions.
So as the delegation mentions, though the DAP bill was already long before, we wanted to get more, Consultation, more views, and also we wanted to develop our bill in line with international experiences.
We review several international bills, especially in the South Asia region and other regions, and we brought a the good practices and good examples from those countries as well.
The legislation itself took some time, but we understand though it took some time, we are committed and we will be able to finalize the bill with all the incorporating all the views of several actors.
Sri Lanka has also undertaken a wide range of legislative policy in addition to the draft bill and administrative measures to progressively implement the convention and strengthen accessibility and inclusion.
Accessibility regulations, as mentioned, are currently being drafted to give effect to the convention.
While a nationwide accessibility audit, as I mentioned in my opening remark, led by as the Human Rights Commission also mentioned, and the national audit include parliamentary caucus, National Secretariat Purpose and disabilities, members of the National Council, and they jointly conducted national audit.
Now 17 group has been forming 17 district.
The Columbo District national audit form, they have completed their draft, which was presented to the ministry last month, which is accessing public institution and infrastructure in the country.
The legal aspect of the other part will be supplemented by members from our representative the Attorney General's Department.
Madam Chair and distinguished experts.
In terms of aligning the legislation that was averted to, I must emphasize that the rights and principles enshrined in the CRDP are reflected in our Constitution, supplemented by several pieces of legislation, including the protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
I will refer to the provisions of the Act at a later stage, but as this is Sri Lanka's first review under the CRDP permit me to deal with some important aspects of the constitutional provisions that are available.
The Constitution of Sri Lanka, in terms of Article 12, is aligned with the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the CRDP in that it recognizes equality without distinction of any kind.
Article 121 provides that all persons are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law.
Article 12 prohibits discrimination.
Furthermore, Article 124 of the Constitution specifically provides that nothing in this article shall prevent special provision being made by law, subordinate legislation, or executive action for the advancement of women, children, or disabled persons.
In terms of the Constitution, the directive principles of state policy guide the parliament and the executive in the promulgation of laws and governance.
The directive principles of state policy include inter alea, realization of an adequate standard of living, equal access to education at all levels, affording opportunities to people to participate at every level in national life and government, elimination of economic, social privilege and exploitation, and foster respect for international law and treaty obligations.
In this context, it is imperative to note that all legislation and policies pertaining to CRDP will be aligned with these constitutional provisions.
The minister has already referred to the laws that are being promulgated and they are in the process of being promulgated and finalized.
In terms of the directive principles of state policy, these will align with all the constitution provisions and safeguards that I have mentioned before.
It is also emphasized that the Sri Lankan constitutional scheme provides for pre enactment judicial review of legislation, which ensures that any legislation in order to pass muster with the Supreme Court must align itself with the constitutional safeguards as well as the provisions of the conventions.
Article 4D provides and mandates that fundamental rights must be respected, secured, and advanced.
Distinguished members, is there was a question pertaining to the ratification of the optional protocol of the CRPD.
It must be explained that Sri Lanka is a dualist state, which means that international law and municipal law form two separate legal regimes.
In 2006, the Supreme Court in a decision Singhasa versus Attorney General held that it pertain to a decision in terms of the optional protocol of the ICCPR.
There are five judge bench of the Supreme Court held that in terms of Article 4C of the Constitution, sovereignty is reposed in the people and that sovereignty can be expressed and exercised by people through parliament through courts and that anything that is outside this constitutionally mandated system would be an abdication of the judicial power of the people.
In view of this decision, steps have not been taken to ratify the optional protocol.
However, we must draw the attention of the committee to a decision that is currently under deliberation by the Supreme Court, that is Jagadishaar versus the Attorney General, which also pertains to the views expressed by the committee of the ICCPR As there is a possible overlap with the case of Sinharasa, a full bench of the Supreme Court heard this matter and we now await the decision.
However, notwithstanding this, Madam Chair, Sri Lanka in a spirit of cooperation and engagement, engages with treaty bodies through reviews of this nature, the UPRs and other special procedure mandate holders.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Mr.
Talon, you have the floor.
Thank you for your response.
We hope that some of those processes can be expedited as much as possible.
We will move on to Articles five, equality and non discrimination.
Could you please explain the intended timeline for a constitutional amendment to explicitly add disability to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination under Article 12, paragraph two of the Constitution.
Question seven, could you please explain what measures are being taken to ensure an accessible and effective mechanism for disability discrimination complaints? Question eight.
We have received information regarding intersectional discrimination against persons with disabilities in the Northeast who are reportedly treated as security threats.
Would you provide information on what specific measures are being taken to address discrimination on the grounds of both disability and ethnicity, supported by disaggregated data? Question nine.
We've also been informed of frequent discrimination in the banking sector, including the refusal to open accounts for persons with visual disabilities.
Would you explain what measures the central bank is taking to enforce nondiscrimination and ensure accessible financial services? Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Respect the delegation, you have the floor to respond to Mr.
Thomas questions.
Thank you for that questions that will answers by our colleagues from the Attorney General Department.
With regard to access to justice, we have the fundamental rights jurisdiction of the Supreme Court distinguished member.
It is important to note that Sri Lanka recognizes epistolary jurisdiction, which means that the highest court of Sri Lanka can be moved simply by writing a letter to the Chief Justice.
This is a mechanism that is available to all persons across Sri Lanka and the Supreme Court can be moved where there is a violation or whether there's an infringement or an imminent infringement of fundamental rights.
In addition to that, the Human Rights Commission Also entertains complaints pertaining to violation of fundamental rights.
Again, the procedure is very simplistic.
Complaints can even be made online.
To the Human Rights Commission and the proceedings before the Commission do not require legal representation.
It is a very simple straightforward process.
Additionally, since there was also mention of disabled women, we have the Women's Commission established under the Women Empowerment Act that you referred to.
The Women's Commission has powers to not only intervene in ongoing matters, but to also initiate matters on their own motion.
All these processes are available to all persons, including persons with disabilities.
It is also important to note that the Legal Aid Commission has a special division to deal with and process complaints made by persons with disabilities and the women's fund has been established to defray all costs pertaining to the women's Commission, ensuring that there is no economic burden that shifts to the complainant.
These are some of the processes that are available in terms of making complaints and accessing justice.
Thank you so much, Mr.
Talon, you have the floor.
Thank you for your responses.
We will now move on to Article 6, women with disabilities.
Patriarchal attitudes, discriminatory stereotypes, and certain customary and religious laws regarding women's roles and responsibilities often prevent women and girls with disabilities from participating in public life and accessing education, employment, social protection, health services, in particular, sexual and reproductive health services, marriage and inheritance.
Can you please explain what measures have been taken to address those barriers? Question ten.
Former female combatants with disabilities and women heading households often experience a heightened social and economic exclusion and marginalization in conflict affected areas.
Can you please explain what measures have been taken to address these exclusions and marginalizations? Question 11.
Information has reached us that the participation of women with disabilities is limited within the National Commission on Women, established by the Women Empowerment Act number 37 in 2024.
Would you explain what measures the state will take to ensure their inclusion in national Gender Equality decision making bodies? Question 12, could you please explain what measures are being taken to ensure the accessibility of sexual and reproductive health care services and protection shelters for persons with disabilities? Finally, what measures are taken to ensure that victims and survivors have safe, accessible reporting channels such as oral reporting options instead of writing reporting and sign language interpretation? That's all.
Thank you.
Thank you so much delegations.
Excellency.
You have the floor.
Thank you very much for that question.
Since the questions are more relevant to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, our representatives joining virtually from the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs will answer that question.
Thank you, Chair.
Sri Lanka recognizes that women and girls with disabilities experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, and the government remains committed to ensure that equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedom in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability and particularly Article 6, and the committee's general commitment three is adhered to, and the government has strengthened the legislative and policy framework to promote the rights and empowerment of women, including women with disabilities.
The Women Empowerment Act, as my delegate from the Attorney General's Department mentioned and the women empowerment and gender equality policy that was introduced in 2023, we provide a framework to address discrimination, promote equal opportunities, and strengthen women's participation in social, economic and political sphere.
This applies to all women, including women with disabilities.
Um, the question on marginalization, we have developed the women peace and security action plan based on the UN Security Council Resolution 13 25.
This action has specific areas to address the issues faced by these women.
So, it has also provisions specifically for women with disabilities, which includes recruiting, the government officers who are conversant in sign language, providing facilities and services for people who provide services for persons with disabilities, and also to ensure that women equally participate in decision making processes.
It's all included in that action plan.
The last one is I'm sorry, I forgot the question.
Yeah, that's from my part.
I can submission.
I can repeat the question.
The final question I had stated was what measures are taken to ensure that victims and survivors have safe, accessible reporting channels such as oral reporting options instead of writing reporting, and then also sign language interpretation? Yes.
As I mentioned, we already have the helplines, there are two national helplines, the 1938 and a 109 by the police.
And we have options where they can email us if there are any complaints and these will be looked into by the ministry and the other service providers and it will be a a multi sectoral approach to address these issues.
And as I mentioned, even in the 13 25 action plan also they have recognized the recruitment of people conversant in sign language.
And at present, if we get a case, I think even the health sector, they would get the assistance from people conversant in sign language to interpret what the person is trying to say.
So, and also I have to mention that we are the government is sponsoring shelters for victims of domestic violence, and there is a specific shelter for women with disabilities also.
So these are the services that are being provided.
Thank you.
Thank you for your responses.
We will now move on to Article 7, which refers to children with disabilities.
Children with disabilities in conflict affected areas often face additional barriers resulting from displacement, poverty, trauma, and explosive remnants of war.
Can you please explain what measures are being taken to remove these barriers in those regions? Following question.
Information has reached us that a mechanism for children with disabilities to express their views remains undeveloped in judicial and administrative proceedings, especially in child protection cases.
Would you please explain what measures are being planned to provide sign language and easy read support in such proceedings? Additionally, I will go on to Article 8 and ask one question from there, awareness raising.
We have been informed that media portrayals of persons with disabilities often reinforce stigma.
Would you explain what measures are being taken to systematically promote positive reframing of disability through national awareness strategies? Thank you.
Excellency, you have the floor.
Thank you very much.
The questions related to Article 7 will be answered virtually from our representatives from the Department of Probation and Childcare and National Child Protection Authority.
The questions raised regarding the Article 8 will be answered by the Additional Security, Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security, and Committee Empowerment, both joined virtually.
Um, thank you.
First of all, I have to mention the legislative framework.
Section five of the ICCPR Act has mentioned that it's of paramount importance to consider the best interests of the child when making decisions.
So, with regard to providing services for children, we take into consideration the best interests of the child and there is a five year national action plan on national policy on child protection, which is 2025-2029.
It has provisions for child protection prevention and response mechanisms, including for children of heightened risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation.
Um, this is including children with disabilities, and the multi sectoral National action plan to address sexual and gender based violence has also provisions to address the issue the concerns raised.
And as I mentioned earlier, as and when needed, uh, we would get the assistance of sign language interpreters to understand what is being communicated, uh, Yeah.
Even as I mentioned, even in the action plan, we have realized and we have recognized the need to get more people convesant in sign language to be recruited to provide smoother services.
Thank you.
As Secretary Minister of pro Development, would you like to answer the rest of the question about education? Madam Chia, and Du members of the committee, thank you for question regarding a tracing.
Sri Lankai recognized that eliminating stereotypes and prejudice is fundamental to realize the right of persons with disabilities accordingly, the government has adopted multi sectoral approaches to Promote disability inclusion through public awareness, education, media engagement, and community participation.
The Department of Social Service continues to implement nationwide awareness programs for schoolchildren, community groups, and public officers with the support of International Labor Organization.
These programs promote respect for the right Dignity and capabilities of persons with disabilities while complementing community based rehabilitation initiatives.
To improve communication and inclusion, the department has published the introduction to Sri Lankan Sign Language booklet in Sinhale, Tamil, and English languages and introduced sign language reference materials for public use.
The department also annually implement the talking book project and produces approximately 32,000 pages of audio books each year.
Through the virtually Handicapped trust fund, thereby improving access to information for persons with visual impairments.
The Ministry of Health has integrated disability awareness into public health programs through accessible health information, awareness campaigns for parents, early childhood screening, mental health promotions, school based programs, and capacity building for health care workers.
New disability information and support centers are also being established in hospitals to improve access to services and information.
The Minister of Buddhist Arena, religious and cultural affairs has implemented innovative initiatives to change public attitudes towards disability.
These include national media competitions, awareness programs for media professionals and government officials and human library programs, where persons with disabilities share their life experience to promote empathy and challenge stereotype relating to disability, marriage, family, and participation in society.
Recognizing the important role of the media and government officials, Minra Buddhis Arsenal, religious and cultural affairs has introduced sensitation programs for government officials and media stakeholders to encourage right based narratives challenging discriminatory portraits and highlights the diverse capabilities and contributions of persons with disabilities.
While challenging remaining in transforming long standing social attitudes, Sri Lanka is committed to expand awareness and sensitization programs, strengthening partnerships with organization of persons with disabilities and promoting positive images of disability throughout society.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Mr.
Talon, you have the floor.
Thank you so much for your responses.
We'll now move on to Article 9, accessibility.
My first question is that information has reached us that the disabled persons accessibility regulations has been amended in 2009, but it extends the compliance period for accessibility in existing buildings for up to 80 years.
Would you explain whether the government intends to review it and set a more reasonable time bound deadline for accessibility? Next question.
Would you explain what enforcement mechanisms are planned for public and private entities that fail to comply with accessibility regulations? 19, would you provide information on what measures are planned to mandate WCAG 2.1 level AA standards for all government websites and digital public services? Question 20.
We have received information that military checkpoints in the Northeast create physical and psychological barriers for persons with mobility and psychosocial disabilities.
Would you explain what measures have been taken to require security personnel to provide reasonable accommodations? Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Excellency, you have Okay.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for that question.
The Protection of the rights of persons with Disabilities Act number 28 of 1996, together with the accessibility regulation of 2006, provide legal foundation for ensuring accessibility to public buildings and facilities.
So recognizing the need to further strengthen implementation and align with the evolving standard, the government is currently developing new accessibility regulations.
So to accelerate the implementation, as you asked the delegates, the government has launched a national accessibility audit coordinated by the National Secretariat for persons with disabilities to assess accessibility across public institutions and identify areas requiring improvements.
Supporting this initiative in the year 2026, national budget has allocated a dedicated funding to improve accessibility at key public facilities, including divisional secretaria, that is the government buildings, railway stations, the bus terminals, courts, police stations, and other recognized places.
We understand the regulations or the law is there, but the issues were that we were not allocated enough resources to implement those regulations.
This is the first time in the history our government allocated sufficient funding to implement those regulations.
Monitoring and compliance have also been strengthened through the establishment of accessibility audit teams in several districts.
Now we have established audit team in 17 districts with the active participation of persons with disabilities.
Accessibility audit have already been conducted in a number of public institutions, including the government buildings and other public institutions, as I mentioned.
Government is also promoting accessibility across key public sectors.
Accessibility guidelines and circulars have been issued for schools and hospitals to support inclusive infrastructure while measures are being taken to ensure that newly constructed police stations comply with national accessibility standards.
The Ministry of Health continue to implement and disability friendly hospital programs by improving accessible services, service centers, waiting areas, parking facilities, Rehabilitation services and disability information and support centers.
Public health information is increasingly provided through accessible communication format to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to essential information.
Accessibility improvements are also being introduced in examination centers and special education units while the Ministry of Transport continue its effort to improve accessibility throughout the public transport system.
So though you asked about the checkpoints in the northern and eastern province, actually, that was in the past in Sri Lanka.
At present, there are no such checkpoint and we have removed all the checkpoints except when there's some criminal activity report that we will implement, otherwise, there are no such security checkpoints in any of the part of the country at the moment.
So the latter part of the question will be supplemented by the representative from the Attorney general.
In 1 minute.
To complement what the Honorable Chair has mentioned, in considering accessibility in Sri Lanka, I think we must acknowledge the important role that has been played by jurisprudence and the decisions of courts.
In doctor Perreira versus Honorable Attorney General, the Supreme Court held that the regulations pertaining to accessibility have to be given full effect to.
Also in the case of Aak Pereira versus Minister of Social Services welfare and others, the court in fact referred to the CRPD and its general principles and held, this court has recognized that international conventions of this nature entered into by Sri Lanka form a type of soft law which may be taken into account when reviewing executive and administrative action and inaction in relation to fundamental rights.
It can be seen that though the law has been in formulation for a long time, there has been development of the rights of disabled persons in Sri Lanka by jurisprudence of the courts.
I think it's also important to highlight that in terms of Section three of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, rather 23 of the Act, The high court has been given the power to give decisions that are just and equitable in nature.
Now, the jurisdiction to issue decisions of this nature are constitutionally, generally the province of the Supreme Court.
The according of this jurisdiction to the high court shows the importance that is placed on disability rights in Sri Lanka.
In terms of this section, there was a recent decision that of Kmeavati versus Minister of Transport and Highways, where the court was moved saying that railway stations and platforms in a particular area are not in accordance with the regulations and the court directed that the accessibility regulations must be adhered to, held in favor of the petitioner and directed that the railway stations be modernized according to the regulations and eight renovations of stations along the Mahavvaa railway lines were held to be non compliant, and there were directions issued to the state to ensure that there was compliance with the regulations.
The court acts as a constantly vigilant watchguard and jurisprudence also plays an important role.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Mr.
Talon, you have the floor.
Thank you for those responses.
We will now move on to Article 31, statistics and data collection.
We have received information that official statistics clarify only 3.54% of the population as persons with disabilities, excluding approximately 2.5 million people who reported functional difficulties in the 2024 census.
Would you explain how the state will address this exclusion and how it will impact service targeting? Next question.
Please provide information on measures taken to prevent the fragmentation of disability data systems across sectors and to secure the collection of disaggregated data and ensure that this data is reflected and planning for all groups of persons with disabilities.
Next question.
Please provide information on measures to guarantee the active participation of organizations of persons with disabilities in data collection and monitoring.
I'll also add Article 32.
There's one question under the international cooperation.
Could you please explain what steps of the state party will take to ensure the structured and adequately resourced participation of OPDs in all bilateral and multilateral development assistance programs.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Excellent to see you at the floor.
Thank you very much for that question.
Our representatives are virtually joining from the Department of Census and Statistics.
Would you answer the first part of the question? Yes.
Thank you very much.
As the National Statistics Office in Sri Lanka, Department of Census and Statistics conducts surveys and censuses in order to collect information on persons with disabilities, we follow Washington Group recommendations to collect data and accordingly, 2024 census reports 727 7,293 persons with disabilities and when it takes as a rate 35 per thousand persons.
We have adheres to all the international recommendations when we are providing the census and we are providing all the statistics considering that from 2019 onward.
Thank you.
So, Madam Chair, we understand the discrepancies of the data as our delegate very correctly pointed out.
So, uh, Department of Census and Statistics is the responsible organization comes under the government of Sri Lanka responsible for collecting data nationwide.
Despite that, the government allocated a separate budget in 2025 budget speech of Mr.
Paz honorable president as well, to separate data on the person with disabilities.
Currently, we are working on this specific data collection on the person with disabilities, which we think the discrepancies can be overcome through this exercise.
The exercise has been commenced in the year 2020 Pi and the preliminary planning has been completed in consultation with several stakeholders, including UNDP in Sri Lanka.
We have developed the model and we are expecting this data collection to be completed in the near future so that while accepting the gaps at present, we are trying our level best to comply with the convention and to collect disaggregated data on people with disabilities.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, Mr.
Talon, you have the floor.
Thank you for those responses.
We will now move on to Article 33.
The committee notes that organizations such as National Council for Persons with Disabilities, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, as well as other organizations are pursuing the important role on national implementation and monitoring.
However, we have received information that there is no functional inter ministerial coordination mechanism dedicated to disability rights.
Would you provide information on what measures are planned to establish a formal coordination mechanism that extends across national, provincial and local levels? Next question.
Please provide a time frame for the establishment of an independent monitoring framework that is legally and financially independent of the executive, ensuring full compliance with Paris principles and Article 332 of the Convention.
Final question.
We have been informed that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka lacks the punitive powers and specific mandates required for effective Article 33 monitoring.
Would you explain what measures are being taken to strengthen the HRC SLS capacity and mandate to investigate violations of the rights of persons with disabilities? Thank you so much.
I do have one more thought on this.
I just want to say that I appreciate your responses thus far on these articles.
I understand that this is something that requires a procedure and a process to make some of these changes.
Disability organizations don't necessarily have similar opinions as some of the things that are happening on the ground.
So we are really looking for some monitoring system or mechanism so that we could see some of these changes being implemented.
Thank you so much.
I wanted to add that to my question, my final question.
Thank you and I appreciate your responses.
So thank you very much delegate for your questions and also the appreciation of the work we are currently undertaking.
The question the first part of the question will be answers by the Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development and Social Security and Committee Empowerment, followed by our colleagues from the Attorney General's department on the legal aspect.
Thank you, Madam Chair, distinguished members of the committee.
Sri Lanka recognizes that effective implementation, coordination, and independent monitoring are essential for the realizing rights guaranteed under the convention.
The new draft bill on the Protection of the rights of persons with disabilities seeks the establish strengthened institutional framework for the implementation and monitoring of the convention.
Importantly, the proposed legislative provides for the establishment of independent commission for persons with disabilities replacing the existing National Council arrangement.
Proposed Independent Commission is intended to provide an independent institutional mechanism for the protection, promotion, and monitoring of the rights of persons with disabilities.
It will also contribute to monitoring the implementation of levels of relevant laws, policies, and obligations under the Convention.
Thereby strengthening the accountability and independent oversight.
The proposed legislation will provide the legal basis for the establishment mandate, powers, functions, and institutional arrangements for the independent commission.
Following enactment of legislation, necessary financial, human, and technical resources will be determined and allocated to enable the commission to effectively discharge functions.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security, and community empowerment continues to coordinate implementation of convention through the close collaboration with relevant ministries, government agencies, organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.
Sri Lanka also places strong emphasis on the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities, multiple consultations involving government institutions, civil society organizations, and organizations of persons with disabilities have been conducted to inform national reporting, policy development and and proposed legislative framework.
Madam Chair, Sri Lanka views implementation of the convention as an ongoing and inclusive process involving government institutions, Parliament, the proposed Independent Commission, Civil Society, organize Organizations of persons with disabilities and international partners.
We remain firmly committed to strengthening the independent monitoring, coordination, accountability, and meaningful participation to ensure the full realization of rights of persons with disabilities.
Thank you.
Pertaining to the powers of the HRC distinguished member, I'm mindful of the time constraints, but let me briefly avert to the fact that in terms of the 21st amendment to the Constitution, the independence of the appointment of the members was strengthened by the use of the Constitutional Council process.
In addition to that, the powers of the HRC include the power to summon witnesses to initiate investigations upon complaint of its own motion.
While it is recommendations that the HRC can make, there are contempt of court powers similar to the contempt powers of the Supreme Court exercisable through the court.
There is a structural framework that gives strength to the HRC.
And these are some of the provisions that ensure that the HRC is an independent and strong organization.
And in addition to that, HRC has also been mandated in terms of the OCAT and has been given and accorded powers to visit places of detention, et cetera.
So these are also some of the powers of the HRC and some of the measures that have been taken in that regard.
Perfect.
This is Hiroshi Timon speaking.
Thank you so much for your responses.
My questions are now concluded, so I will allow other members of the task force to ask their questions.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
This concludes of the first round of the cluster one.
Now we will proceed to the second round of the cluster one, which will last 30 minutes.
This round is open to committee members who are not a member of the task force together with one member of the task force whom I will Yes.
To allow as many members as possible to participate while preserving subs time for the state parties, please ask each member to keep the time minutes.
So please floor miss Iglada, you have the floor.
Thank you.
Thank you very much to the delegation for these answers that you have been providing to us and the information that you shared through the values reports.
I have only one question, but it's very specific and I would really hope to get some specific answers from you and is going into more detail of a question that my colleague, Mr.
On already made.
It relates to Article 9 on accessibility.
I would like you have shared with us several provisions scattered through different pieces of legislation and plans and regulation, and you have informed us, which gives a lot of hope of the development of new legislation.
And my question refers to that.
So you have also shared the jurisprudence, but that jurisprudence needs to be given effect in practice in order to remedy the problems that you are facing.
So given the anticipatory nature of accessibility, it requires clear and enforceable requirements.
My questions are the following, whether you can clarify the nature of the forthcoming rules.
First, and whether there are obligations to comply with accessibility standards and whether those standards are comparable in level of ambition to well recognized international accessibility standards.
My colleague mentioned WACAC so EC way WCAC.
It could be compatible like EN 301549 or in the built environment, ISO standard on the built environment of EN standard on low platform buses.
We would like to know the level of ambition of those requirements first.
In terms of material scope, this is the second question whether it will cover the built environment, transport, and ICT and services offered and provided to the public.
Third question is about the personal scope.
I didn't hear the answer to the question whether it is only for the public sector or also it engages the private sector.
Finally, to hear a little bit more of your plans for the enforcement mechanism, in particular, whether persons with disabilities can get access to judicial remedies in case of non compliance and the type of penalties that that legislation would entail.
My fourth related point on these questions is whether When there are government grants in general for buildings, for transport, for whatever subject it is or provision of services, whether those are subject to accessibility requirements, to compliance with accessibility requirements, and similar whether there is an obligation in procurement to comply with accessibility rules.
If you could deepen, I know there are very specific points, but it will really clarify to us the plans that you have.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Miss Gatt, you have the floor.
I add my voice in welcoming the delegation.
Thank you for the answer so far.
I have some points on Article 6 and also Article 9.
Article 6.
My colleague had mentioned and asked about the situation of women and girls with disabilities, and you have answered with the provisions that exist.
But these provisions exist, I reaching us is that they are not benefiting sufficiently.
They are not finding themselves at decision making places.
They find themselves discriminated.
And so what we want to hear is what mechanisms would you put in place? What affirmative actions can be put in place so that these provisions reach them.
So they have the same opportunities as others.
And what monitoring mechanisms are there to ensure that what you intend actually takes place.
We have also understood that there is an income threshold that has been removed for legal aid.
And so we want to know to what extent have women's disabilities benefited from this? What are the numbers? What impact has it got, and what systems are there in place for awareness to be raised on this.
I'm moving on the accessibility part of it have been asked already, so I'm moving on to My next is about the use of the funds and other di accessibility measures.
How are we ensuring access to information, communication technologies for persons with disabilities, could you also inform us the budgets for the modernization of public transport very close to what the previous speaker said, but we want still some specific information.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Marchess you have the floor.
Thank you very much, Chair, and good morning to the delegation from Sri Lanka.
It's good to have you here.
I want to go back to the question that my colleague, Mr.
Tamon raised in terms of equality and non discrimination.
I understand the structure of the constitutional provisions and the proposed bill.
But all I've read from the state report and from your information this morning.
I'm still not getting a clear idea of how reasonable accommodation is going to apply It in both your reports and in your reply this morning, you talk about the concept of reasonable accommodation, but not the way in which the denial of reasonable accommodation will be incorporated into the definition of discrimination within the new bill.
I'd really like some clarity of how that's going to operate.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Mr.
Alfred Ducois, you have the floor.
Thank you, Chair.
We'd like to get the delegation of Sri Lanka.
We have heard your replies.
And you mentioned a draft a rather interesting draft bill for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities.
We also heard the representative of the National Human Rights Commission who said that the state party goes bill to bill to bill without adopting clear legislation to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
I would like to know what proof do you have? What can you show the committee to attest to the fact that this time, the persons with disabilities in your country will indeed have a law that protects them once and for all.
Because the representative at the National Human Rights Institution spoke that you go from bill to bill without actually adopting legislation.
I would like to know again, what can you show to prove that it won't just remain a bill.
Thank you.
Mia maalia you Thank you, Chair.
I also would like to greet the Distinguished delegation of Sri Lanka.
I have two brief questions, one on Article 6 on women with disabilities.
We've heard a lot about your policies, but the fact remains that women continue to face discrimination.
They are not economically active, surely not at the same level as women without disabilities.
Do you have any figures, any data, statistics to explain why this is the case? Then for Article 7, I would like to ask what initiatives are there in the government in order to reduce malnutrition in children with disabilities or eliminate it? Thank you.
Lastly, Mr.
Martino Lorenzo, you have the floor.
Thank you very much, Chair.
I would like to echo the comments made previously welcoming the distinguished delegation of Sri Lanka, and then I would like to ask who is entrusted with the coordination Who works with ensuring the cross cutting aspects of things? Are there technical institutions or technical offices in each state institution to work with the other ones? And what level of investment are we talking about for persons with disabilities? Consolidated and desegregated state investment.
And what is the role of the Organizations for Persons with Disabilities when working with cross cutting aspects, specifically, women's organizations.
Then on international cooperation, I would like to know whether disability is also included in a cross cutting way with conditions.
What is the coordination or interaction between the statistics system and the governing body of persons with disabilities whenever you're organizing a survey or a census? And lastly, I would like to know if for the 20th anniversary of the convention, whether the state is preparing any sort of initiative in order to showcase the challenges and achievements and culturally promote the content of the convention.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, experts to your questions.
As our allocated time for disclosed one is coming to an end, respect our delegation, I would like to to conclude is you will list all the questions from the member of the committee until 12.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for all the questions.
Depending on the time and we will try to answer all the nine questions answers raised by the delegate.
We will start with the legal aspect of the question related to Article 9 and also partly about the Draf bill a Yeah, the delays for the reasons for the delays of the DAP bill from our representative from the admiser department, and later on the other questions will be answered by respective representatives from the line ministries.
So we'll start then.
Thank you, Chair.
Regarding the question pertaining to the actual translation of rights into accessible rights of people, I think it's important to note you noted the jurisprudence as well.
In all these instances, it is members of the public who moved against the state in executive or administrative action and relief was granted.
So, there was a question as to whether there is penalties.
Yes, it is the discretion of court to grant costs as may be applicable.
But more importantly, there were the issues that were remedied.
For example, in the case of Kamillavahi, which I referred to earlier, there was a direction given by the Supreme Court to ensure that certain red lines and platforms were made accessible.
In compliance with the accessibility regulations.
So there were specific directions given.
And in another case that is pending before the court currently, that is a CFR 200 of 2025, the court was moved saying that in terms of access to education, saying that there was no availability of technological subjects, and there though the case is still pending, administrative steps were taken in the pendency of the case to open up a gamut of areas, including technology to the petitioners, to all persons, including disabled persons.
These are some of the ways in which the jurisprudence has transformed into real and tangible results.
In respect of the other matters pertaining to the other questions, I believe the chair has already said that there was wide consultation with regard to the bill that is under consideration.
It is important to note that the Human Rights Commission has been consulted as the council in terms of the act.
They have both been consulted.
There have been wide consultations with a view to formulating the most comprehensive uh law that can be at this juncture.
Also, in terms of the act that we do already have, though it was promulgated in 1996, prior to the ratification of the Convention, the protections, it was forward thinking for its time.
There are several protections in the current Act, including prevention of discrimination in education and also in terms of employment.
These provisions are also available, and I have also demonstrated how these rights are justiciable and Sri Lankans have been litigious in moving courts and obtaining relief.
Onto the other parts of the questions, I believe the chair will direct to my colleagues on the panel.
Yeah.
Regarding the questions about Article 6, may I request our representative who actually joining from the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs answer these questions.
Thank you, Chair.
With regard to the question on Article 6, I would like to reiterate that the gender equality and women empowerment policy has provisions for economic empowerment of women.
This includes women even women with disabilities and all other sectors of the community.
In that in mind, the implementing arm of the ministry, which is the Sri Lanka Women's Bureau, it has women development officers who are located at the divisional Secretariat level, which is the um more like the grassroot level.
The officers are entrusted with the duty of establishing women federations and ensuring that the programs that are being implemented by the ministry is actually filtered through to the ground and it reaches the women in the community.
At the same time, the Women's Bureau also has livelihood assistant programs.
These include women with disabilities as well.
We provide financial technical assistance in a areas that have been identified.
I guess that is the mechanism that is available right now to address reaching the women in the community, especially women with disabilities.
I would like to add to the Article 7 question also on malnutrition of children to address that issue, our ministry has initiated a program where Um, a certain amount is given to expecting mothers and lactative mothers through their pregnancy period and through the period where she's feeding the baby.
That is to ensure that a healthy child is born.
And at the same time, we are providing a free meal to preschools, as well as there is an ongoing project from the Ministry of Education to provide meals at primaries.
This is to address malnutrition of children.
Thank you.
Minister of Transport, would you like to comment on the questions regarding budget specifically for the transport sector? Yes.
Thank you Chair.
With regard to the budgetary allocations for the public transport, the government has already allocated budget for ten low flow buses which have a special accessibility features for the persons with disabilities, and we have already deployed them on 21st of April this year through the Lana Metro Transit Private Limited.
In addition to that, by September this year, the Lana Metro Transit will be deploying another 104 similar types of buses.
And again, by Yes.
By the end of this month, they are planning to desploy another seven buses, and the Metro Transit is planning to expand their services to Canty and Jevna by 2027.
Thank you.
Regarding the main points highlighted about the budgetary allocations, actually, part of the transport and the transport is newly added.
But last year, we initiated disability inclusive budget budgeting.
The president as the Minister of Finance instructed all the 25 minister we have 25 ministers in the country.
To when they budget, consider disability inclusive budgeting.
So based on that instruction, all the line ministries are when they prepare budget, they are directed to prepare their budget visibility inclusive budgeting.
Several ministries has initiated, for example, apart from the line ministries, we are responsible, Ministry of Transport is now they have allocated budget for this transport modes as well as to improve pedestrians crossings and platforms like we mentioned earlier.
In addition, Ministry of Housing, construction, and water supply has allocated specific budget to improve water and sanitation facilities of the person with disabilities.
Some of the municipal councils and the urban development authority comes under the urban development of the Minist of Transport and urban development.
It also has allocated several, Uh, budget lines to improve the accessibility of urban areas, specifically now the Colombo Municipal Council is also working on this.
We will like to add on this and also about the likewise, many ministries now commence to prepare a budget considering disability inclusion.
This is a new move, and we hope that will be increase during coming years as well.
So with regard to the international cooperation, Security C Development Security will answer that question.
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Regarding the international cooperation, Sri Lanka recognizes that meaningful participation with disabilities fundamental international cooperation and sustainable development in line with the principle, nothing about us without us, the government continues to ensure that organizations of persons with dis disabilities are actively engage in the design, implementation and monitoring of disability related programs undertaken with international and national development partners.
The government works closely with United Nations agencies, international financial institutions, bilateral development partners, and civil society organizations to strengthen the disability inclusive policies and programs.
These partnerships are have contributed to improving vocational training, employment opportunities, accessibility, community based rehabilitation, social protection, and inclusive public services.
Several important initiatives demonstrate this collaborative approach.
With the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, ICA, the employment Support for Persons with Disabilities Project has strengthened employment services.
Career guidance and job placement opportunities.
The Asian Development Bank has supported livelihood development and economic empowerment programs for persons with disabilities, while International Labor Organization ISIL has partnered with the government to modernize disability inclusive vocational education and strengthen the employment opportunities through collaboration with both public institutions and private sector.
In addition, Child Fund, Sri Lanka, continues to support vocational training institutions, inclusive education initiatives and community based programs that benefits children and young persons with disabilities.
Consultation and collaboration also strengthened through national mechanisms.
In July 2026, the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities met with the United Nations resident coordinator and representatives of the several UN agencies to enhance cooperation on disabled inclusive legislation, accessibility, social protection, and implementation of the convention.
Sri Lanka remains committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities and their representatives organizations continue to participate meaningfully in development planning and poverty reduction initiatives so that no one is left behind.
Thank you.
Yes.
Since we have a few minutes, we couldn't answer about the question raised regarding reasonable accommodation, so that will be answered by our colleagues from the At General Department.
In addition to the legal provisions that are available, I think the minister has also highlighted the need to improve on the legislation that we already have.
That is what we are striving to do, and we acknowledge that disability is an evolving concept and that laws and regulations need to keep evolving with it in order to ensure reasonable accommodation.
So the New Act We'll be considering a more CRDP compliant definition of disabled persons, as well as provisions pertaining to reasonable accommodation to ensure full participation in social life.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Mr.
Imagoda, you raise up again.
Yes.
Just that we have a three minute please.
Very much.
I just would like to say that my question was not about the jurisprudence.
I read that with detail in your reports.
I thank you for that.
But it was anticipating the details of the planned and legislation in which you are working in terms of personal scope, material scope, enforcement, and the link with procurement and funding.
As we don't have the time, if you would be able to submit that in writing, I would be really grateful.
Thank you very much.
I understand the limitations of time.
Thank you so much, but still we have 2 minutes, so I would like to give the floor to reply.
Yeah.
Thank you, madam.
We will utilize that 2 minutes and answer the question directly.
Yeah, please.
Yes, there is the new bill is a work in progress, so to speak.
It is in consultation.
It has gone back and forth in consultation with several stakeholders involving NGOs, of which participants are disabled persons and who work with disabled persons.
So at this juncture, I don't think we can commit to a particular provision, but these are the general steps to make it more CRPD compliant and to have more reasonable accommodation.
Because the policy, once it is crystallized, we also have to go through the constitutional process of being translated or transformed into law, and that involves being placed on the gazette paper and at least seven days before being placed on the order paper of parliament.
And once it is gazeted and, uh, once it is placed on the order paper of Parliament, there is a window of 14 days within which any person can challenge any of the provisions.
This challenge can come from individuals as well as voluntary organizations.
Once it is challenged, it will be considered by the Supreme Court for constitutional compliance.
So if it passes muster with the Supreme Court, and as I said, the Supreme Court will look at constitutional provisions, also international conventions in terms of the directive principles of state policy.
So this process will be followed in pre enactment judicial review of legislation, and it is then that the law will be crystallized into and passed as legislation.
So it is at that juncture that we will know all the nuances of the law.
But right now, I believe the minister has elaborated on what the goals are in terms of the envisaged law.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
This conclusion close to one.
I thank the expert for their questions and comments and the distinguished delegation for EL liens.
We will now take a ten minute break.
We shall reconvene at 12 to ten, and we will begin close to two.
Thank you so much.
So since we have a 10 minutes break, we can just move out and quickly have the refreshments and come back in time because they will start immediately at 10 minutes.
What does.
I The meeting is adjured.
Please expert and the delegation who will be sit, we start.
Couchy.
We will now begin c two, covering article 10 to 20 of the convention.
In accordance with our working method, the first round under this cluster is reserved for the member of the task force and consists of 60 minutes of back to back question and answers.
We have 40 minutes available for this first round during the present meeting.
The remaining 20 minutes of the task force round will continue at the beginning of this afternoon's meeting.
Now, I give the floor to the task force team member, miss Garrett Dunderv to begin the task force questions under cluster two.
Miss Gert Dunderv, you have the floor.
So thank you, Chair and very welcome, State Practice Delegation forum, Sri Lanka.
My first question is related Article 10, right to life.
Before I start my question, really, I would like to raise on tragedy cases, name this Andre Ba strategy.
Happened in a In this year.
A fire at unregistered residential care center resulted 13 deaths and police reported that at least one of victims was found chained.
Approximately 62 out of 70 clients were reportedly persons with psychosocial and intellectual disability.
Moreover, another alarming news is, again, nationwide there are almost 455 such kind of residential care center and only 148 out of them are registered and monitored by the state.
State.
Remaining are just run operation out of any state controlled by state registration.
My first question relate in this case is, why the underlying reason of why two or third of existing such kind of residential care center are has been allowed to run their operation out of state registration and state assessment.
I would like to know the reason of that.
Secondly, I would like to know what kind of monitoring mechanisms in place in the country to oversized the existing institutions and the residential care centers in order to ensure that such kind of serious things has not happened across all the existing residential centers.
So, secondly, I have another question under this article.
When we look at the World WHU report relating to the prevention of the world suicide, we found that suicide rate in Sri Lanka is quite high among the Aseration even the average rate of the world.
So regarding this, please provide recent data on suicide case involved persons with disabilities.
And also, I would like to know what kind of monitoring mechanism are existing to such kind of suicide cases and to prevent the further occurring such kind of instance.
Then lastly, I would like to know when I look at your constitution, I seen that right to life is not explicitly stated in your constitution.
So, uh, and please explain the reason of this why your constitution doesn't include this fundamental right of person.
Thank you.
Three questions under Article 10.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Excellency, you have the floor.
Thank you very much for that specific questions about the fire in one of the homes in Ana in Sri Lanka.
That was a very unfortunate situation.
That question will be answered by to the Minister of broader Development and Social Security and the other aspect of the legal aspect will be answered by the representative from the Attorney General's Department.
Thank you, Madam Chair, on June 26th, fire spread the privately operated Man residential care facility home in Bagda Angurw in cultural District for the because of the death of 14 residents and serious injuries to several others.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was caused due to the electric short circuit and spread rapidly due to outbreak to mattresses stored near to electrical circuit.
Investigations found that the facility has been operated without the legal registration, despite repeated warnings for the relevant authorities.
Although designed to accommodate around 15 residents, it housed 69 individuals including 61 persons with mental disabilities and only eight elderly persons, despite being presented as an elders home.
Following the incident, the government took immediate action to protect affected residents.
39 persons with mental disability we relocated to registered residential care institutions with the coordination of Division secretary at Millennium, the National Secretariat for the Persons with Disabilities, and the Western Province Department of Social Services.
Eight elderly residents were transferred to the Katargam Silver Age Center while three residents were reunited with their families.
Medical, psychological, and rehabilitation support services were also provided.
To prevent similar incidents, the government is strengthening community based care by expanding community based rehabilitation services, vocational training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, establishing additional elders, daycare centers, promoting the silver age economy, and developing legal and regulatory standards for residential care institutions.
As residential care remains devolved subject under the provincial councils by 13th amendment of the constitution, efforts are also underway to establish unified legal and care standards nationwide.
In underscores the need for stronger enforcement of registration requirement, regular inspections, improved fire safety, and enhanced oversight of residential care institutions, while reinforcing Sri Lanka's commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and safety of older persons and persons with disabilities in line with efforts to promote inclusive access to digital information to the government has issued circular 11 2024, directs all government institutions to adopt unicode complaints fonts across the official websites and digital publications.
This policy aims to address barriers faced by PWD, particularly those using assistive technologies such as screen readers, which often really on standardized text encoding functions effectively by mandating the use of unicode fonts, the crucial circular ensures that digital content is universal searchable and compatible across the platforms and devices.
Thank you.
Yeah.
This is by the representative from the Attorney General department and about the suicide, our representative virtually from the department, police will answer.
You can.
Pertaining to that question regarding right to life, distinguished member, yes, you are correct.
The right to life is not specifically stated and provided for in our constitution.
However, it is now trite law as forming part of our constitution because the Supreme Court has, starting from the case of Triani Silva versus Idalgda repeatedly held and reiterated that the right to life is the basis on which all the other rights are premised, and therefore that it is, though not specifically set out, that it is ingrained and is part of our constitution.
That is how the right to life has been read into our Constitution.
Thank you for that question.
Now, I believe my colleague from the Department of Police will take on the other questions.
C.
From the Department of Police.
On custodial deeds.
No.
Yeah.
The exact cause of death is always determined through the mandatory magistrate investigation when someone dies while in custody.
In addition to indictments being served in the high court, disciary measures are also taken against officers who are found to be guilty.
Further, any officer will face disciplinary action and possible interdiction if it is established their negligence resulted in the death of someone in custody.
Further, the families of the victims have the right to file a fundamental rights case in the Supreme Court under the Article 17 and 1266 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
The police has issued two circulars in 2015, number 2539 Stroke 15, and in 2023, circular number 2747 Stroke 2023.
On preventing custodial and encounter deaths.
These circulars are included in the training and the curriculum of the National Pol Academy.
In addition, on 2025, sorry, 2025, 21st of May, the IGP has circulated among all police stations the general guidelines and recommendations, number one of 2025 to Sri Lanka Police on Preventing custodial and Ecodidates issued by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.
Thank you.
For your response and just let me know whether the data on two side cases are segregated by disability.
Just short answer yes or no.
Thank you.
Department of Police, do you have any answer to that specific question? Actually, we don't have any suicidal de in the police cell, so I don't have any clarification on that.
The question was asking about the custodial death and we don't have that but about the suicide cases, I'm not sure whether we have deaggregated data.
If there are any, we will submit in the written submission.
Thank you for your question.
Now I will ask a question under Article 11.
We acknowledge that National Disaster Management Plan 2023 and 2030 contains some provision on persons with disabilities.
That document recognizes persons with disabilities as one of the key vulnerable group during the emergency situation.
However, experience of 2025 PLT demonstrated that emergency preparedness and response remain inadequate inadequately disability inclusive.
During that flood, many persons with disabilities faced numerous challenges, for example, during the equation due to lack of accessible shelters and due to lack of needed support, and also the lack of trained staff on disability related issues.
My question is, Again, under this article, I'm raising about that under Beatita cases.
As you mentioned, those 13 persons with disabilities died because of that unprepared emergency situation because of that fire.
So my question is My question is whether you please let us know whether a state party has concrete plan to review national policies and legislation addressing that disaster risk reduction area, including policies and other acts such as Disaster Management Act, in 2005, to make them fully responsive to the disability needs, and also do we have any plan to develop specific and comprehensive disability inclusive disaster risk reduction framework and emergency response framework.
Covering full cycle of the preparedness, readiness, remedy, et cetera Please let us know whether you have such kind of plan.
Secondly, regarding that Accra question, you already responded that you are taking action to ensure that to monitoring over all the existing settings to ensure that fire safety regulations are compliant in those settings.
So I escaped that question.
The third question is about accessible early warning and communication related issue.
We received information that Emergency telephone number introduced by the Commission General of essential services are not fully accessible for persons with disabilities.
Regarding this, my next question is, how do you ensure that such kind of emergency telephone services called and other early warning system are fully accessible for persons with disabilities? For example, how deaf blind people can receive the warning information based on their needs? That is the third question.
I The next question is about the meaningful participation of persons with disability through the representative organization in the process of planning, designing, implementation, and evaluation and monitoring on the processes Disaster risk reduction policies, emergency preparedness plan, et cetera In particularly, I'm interested whether you have any willing to include representative of persons with disabilities in disaster reduction committee at the national, district, and division level to ensure that their participation is adequately financed and consulted.
Last question is, So these are four questions currently I have, so please answer those questions.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for the questions.
So these questions will be answers our representative from the Disaster Management Center joining virtually.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Sri Lanka recognizes the importance of collective disaster risk reduction in line with the Article 11 of the United Nations Convention on Right of Persons with Disabilities, which call for the protections and the safety of persons with disabilities in the situation of risk, including disasters and humanitarian emergencies.
Disaster Management Center under the Minister of Defense promotes disability inclusive within the National Disaster Management policies, strategies and programs.
Disaster Management Act number 13 of 2005, and the National Disaster Management Policy emphasize the importance of protecting vulnerable groups, including persons with disability during disasters and emergencies.
Disability inclusion is also reflected in the National Disaster Management Plan, which you have indicated 2023 to 2030.
The participation of persons with disabilities and their representations organizations, especially the Disaster Management Center promotes the participations of persons with disabilities and organizations of persons with disabilities in the development and implementation of disaster risk reduction policies and programs, which include consultations with disability focused civil society organizations, and during the formations and review of national and sub national disaster management strategies and plans, and also engagement of representatives from disability related institutions and CBOs through district and divisional level disaster management coordination mechanisms, and at the same time incorporations of disability perspective into community based disaster risk management, CDDRM.
Then these mechanisms help to ensure that the specific need, capacities, and priorities of persons with disabilities are considered in the disaster preparedness response, recovery, and rest reduction planning.
Especially the inclusion within the National Disaster Management Plan, as emphasized earlier, the National Disaster Management Plan recognizes the persons with disabilities as the priority group, requiring appropriate and targeted support throughout the disaster management cycle.
The key measures includes promoting inclusive disaster risk assessment that identify vulnerable population, including persons with disabilities, strengthening disability, inclusive early warning systems, and the dissemination communication mechanism, also integrating disability consideration into evacuation planning, emergency set arrangement, relief distributions, and recovery programs.
Accessibility on the evacuation and emergency shelter measures, Specialist Sri Lanka has taken steps to improve the accessibility and safety of disaster preparedness, evacuation, emergency shelter arrangement for persons with disabilities.
These include identifications of vulnerable households, including households with the persons with disabilities through community level disaster preparedness and risk reduction planning.
And also, the effort to improve accessibility in selected evacuation centers and temporary shelters, including the provisions of barrier free access where feasible.
Then the capacity building and awareness, the simulation exercise, especially the disaster management center, conduct training, awareness and capacity building programs for disaster management officials, community leaders, volunteers, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen inclusive disaster risk reduction.
Those programs, comprehensive identifications and the appropriate support for persons with disabilities during the preparedness response and recovery phases, especially during simulation exercise planning, engage those disability focus institutions, and also we have ensured the required specific preparedness arrangement to facilitate to safe evacuations and participations of persons with disabilities.
In conclusion, through these initiatives, Sri Lanka aim to progressively strengthen the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in disaster risk governance.
The country is working to ensure that the persons with disabilities have equitable access to early morning preparedness measures, evacuation, emergency shelter, humanitarian assistance, and recovery support.
These efforts contribute to Sri Lanka's commitment under the Convention on the right of Persons with Disabilities and the Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction while supporting more inclusive, accessible, and resilient disaster management system in Sri Lanka.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
My next question is under Article 12.
Information received from alternative sources also indicated that substituted decision making is dominated in Sri Lankan legal system.
For example, if you look at civil legislation such as civil procedure law and the mental diseases ordinance and et cetera persons with disability who deemed un sounded can be subject of their legal capacity is remote and they face challenges to exercise the right in the banking sector, and build family, in the contracting, so they cannot have equal opportunity in those areas.
Also, you mentioned in your report that equality before the law is guaranteed in your Constitution Article 12.
Regarding this, my question is, how this constitutional guarantee and give equal opportunity for persons with disabilities to exercise their legal capacity.
The second question is, could you provide concrete information whether you have a plan to make a review all the existing legislations, including civil procedure codes and mental diseases, ordinance, et cetera, make them fully compliant with the Article 2 of CRPD and abolish all existing provision that allow restrict the legal capacity of persons with disabilities.
I would like to know your plan to take a measure to implement supported decision making by providing adequate resources and by providing the capacity building on awareness raising programs to relevant stakeholders around this area.
This is my question under Article 12.
Yeah.
Thank you for that question.
The legal part of the question will be answers from the representative from the Attorney General Department.
Yes.
Thank you, distinguished member.
In Sri Lanka, we have the concept of the upper guardianship of court where court assumes responsibility and the care of all individuals before it.
In line with this, however, we do recognize that some of the laws that apply to this area are laws from the colonial era of and will need to be brought in line with the more CRDP compliant definitions in terms of the new law.
Following the new law, I think we will have to review all other applicable laws and take steps to ensure that they are also aligned with the convention.
Pertaining to equal recognition before the law and also touching on the question of accommodation, I'd like to emphasize that the Public Administration circular number 27 of 88 provides that where vacancies exist in public service, 3% of such vacancies should be made available to persons with disabilities.
In respect of this, the court was moved in the case of Langa versus Ratnsi.
Though there were other factors that court looked at, court did hold that is where the threshold requirements pertaining to qualifications are met, the public administration circular must be given effect to and that percentage maintained.
At all instances possible, subject to the other threshold requirements.
I also referred to a CFR 200 of 2025 in response to a previous answer where it was challenged where the education policy was challenged to say that technological subjects were not made available and administrative remedies were taken immediately to make not only the subject of technology, but a wide array of other subjects also available to candidates with disabilities.
Now, in this case, the petitioner acknowledged that there is provision for candidates with a disability and to be recognized as a candidate with a disability and upon such application, after an interview process, to be granted several concessions, including 10 minutes extra time for 1 hour of each examination, special attention by the invigilator and accessibility in terms of the place of the examination.
These are some of the provisions and available in terms of accessibility.
I'd like to emphasize that in addition to the constitution, the legal provisions, and the jurisprudence, we also have the administrative remedies that have been made available in terms of circulars.
Thank you.
Thank you very much because of the time limit.
Now I'm going to move to the next article, Article 13.
Under this article, just I would like to know how persons with disabilities being provided procedural accommodation and gender sensitive, age appropriate accommodations based on their needs.
In order to ensure they have fully access to justice system.
The regarding this Access to justice is important area and every person should have the knowledge how to enjoy rights to ensure their full participation in the legal system.
Is there any specific awareness raising program on trainings for targeting persons with disabilities to ensure that they have enough knowledge.
Thirdly, again, I would like to know, whether you have a specific mandatory training program for the legal related staff and personnel to ensure that they have good knowledge and understanding about the right to access justice a persons with disabilities.
Please give the short answer because we have very limited time.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
So we will answer shortly.
Yeah, please.
Thank you Chair and distinguished member for that question.
I have already in some of my other answers touched on the redresses available in terms of access to justice.
I have spoken of the fundamental rights jurisdiction, including epistolary jurisdiction, the Human Rights Commission.
And now in response to this specific question, I'd like to note that the Women Empowerment Act number 37 of 2024 introduces mechanisms to give effect to CEO and ensure economic empowerment of women with disabilities.
There is a specific recognition of women with disabilities and also the Women's Commission plays an important role in the formulation of legislation and the suggestion and recommendation of policies to the state.
The scheme of the law mandates that every woman is entitled to women's rights and that women's rights shall not be denied.
Women's rights have been defined to mean equality and non discrimination as enumerated in our Constitution and the goals described in CEO.
The Act also empowers the Women's Commission to not only intervene in ongoing matters, but to also institute legal action on behalf of women.
As I said, the women's fund will defray the costs It also involves the Commission in developing a framework in compliance with national policy and to facilitate ensure empowerment of women.
The Commission has been accorded the power to call for reports and to inquire from any person any information for the purposes of the functions of the Act.
It also makes recommendations to the government on measures to be taken to ensure that domestic laws and policies and administrative practices are in accordance with internationally accepted norms and standards on women's rights.
The Women's Commission is a very important role plays a very important role in the fostering of women's rights, particularly disabled women's rights in the context of the question.
We also wish to highlight that in terms of the protection of witnesses and Victims of Crime Act, The disability is considered a ground of vulnerability and is taken into consideration in a threat assessment.
These are also some of the provisions that safeguard women with disabilities.
In terms of access to justice, in line with Article 12, there is no distinction or difference.
There is access to justice in all forms that I have mentioned available to all persons with disabilities, including women.
Thank you.
I would like to get a short answer whether you have a mandatory trainings for the personnel around this area as well as for targeting for persons with disabilities and their family members about their right on this article.
Thank you very much for that question.
Can we have a representative of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration for short answer to this question? Thank you, Madam Chair.
Actually, I'd like to highlight the services provided by the Legal Aid Commission in this regard.
They have a community level legal aid clinics, legal awareness programs.
Specific measures are taken to facilitate access to justice to legal aid for children and disabilities, including legal advice and training of the government officers and legal staff members.
Thank you.
Thank you.
My next question is under Article 14.
Information received indicated that mental disease ordinance.
It authorizes deprivation of liberty of persons with disabilities based on their actual and perceived impairment.
S four of that act permits magistrates to order detention of a person considered to unsound mind upon medical certification.
So I would like to know your plan with the clear timetable and adequate resources to review again these existing legislations that contrary with the CRPD and make them fully comply with the human rights approach to discipline to ensure that persons with disabilities are free from any such kind of arbitration or intervention.
Again, this is the question under this article.
Please give short answer.
Thank you very much.
This question will be answered by the Secretary to the Ministry of Plural Development, also Security and Committee empowerment.
All right.
Madam Chair, and distinguished members of the committee.
Sri Lanka is committed to promote the rights of persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in community life.
Our approach focused on empowering persons with disabilities through employment, community based rehabilitation, social protection, and access to support services.
The National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities encourage inclusive employment by providing salary subsidies to employers covering up to 50% of wages.
Thereby promoting sustainable employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
Department of Social Services has further strengthened employment support through employment Support Unit established in collaboration with the Department of Manpower and employment.
To date, more than 800 persons with disabilities have secured employment through these initiatives.
Employment support units operating at a divisional level provide career guidance, employers engagement and job placement services, while partnership with companies such as Brndix Mass, Jon Gills, and Kargis and others have expanded opportunities with the open labor market.
Vocational skills development has also been strengthened through collaboration with International Labor Organization and private sector partners.
New So thank you.
Please give the direct answer for my questions.
I just would like to know because I found that mental diseases ordinance adopted in almost 150 years ago, 18 73 has authorized on the deformation of the liberty of persons with disabilities based on actual and perceived impairment.
This is a very contradictory to the CRPD.
My question is whether you have any plan to make a review all these existing legislations, including this mental Diseases Act and to ensure that persons with disabilities are free from such kind of intervention and enjoy their rights.
The short question and please short answer.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
They will answer solidly by the Attorne General debarment.
The time.
I wish to draw the attention of the committee to the case of Amara Secret versus Attorney General, where our courts also highlighted this problem to a certain degree.
In that instance, the intellectual disability had arisen after the sentencing.
But however, this is a concern that has been raised and this has been the subject of discussion in reviewing the act.
And as I said, once the A is brought into law, there will have to be other changes brought in compliance with the new Act and the CRPD.
Also, I would wish to give the forum to my colleague from the Ministry of Justice to elaborate on this further.
Representative Minister, very sod, please.
Please go ahead.
Thank you.
The government also recognize the importance of the strengthening the legal framework governing the mental health, particularly ensure that the liberty, dignity, autonomy, and other human rights of the persons with disabilities are effectively protected.
In this regard, following the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka's recommendation, government has taken concrete steps towards enactment of new mental health legislation, and I am pleased to inform the committee that a draft Mental Health Act was now being prepared and was published on the official website of the Minister of Health on 15 May 2026, thereby facilitating greater transparency and public engagement after the actually after that, the Ministry of Health formally requested the assistance of the World Health Organization in the translation of the draft A into other national languages.
The Ministry of Health presently awaiting the completion of the translations Following the translations, a further stakeholder consultation will be continued, taking into account the views of the relevant stakeholders, including those representing persons with disabilities and other persons with lived experience and mental health conditions.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
My next question is under Article 17.
We received the information that in Sri Lanka, there is a practice, there is a case with forced sterilization and forced abortions subjected by women with disabilities.
I would like to know, to what extent your legislations provide protection to persons with disabilities, particularly a person with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities, free from such kind of intervention against their will? I also would like to know to what extent a free and informed concept of persons with disabilities prior to any medical intervention is guaranteed.
So please give the answer for these two questions.
Thank you.
Thank you for these questions.
Due to time limit, our represented the Minister of Justice and A integration.
Could you please answer the question within 2 minutes? Code of Criminal Procedure contains important judicial safeguards for the person with mental disabilities who come into contact with the criminal justice system, where a court has reason to believe that an accused person is unable to understand the proceedings or make a defense due to a mental disability, the court is required to obtain a medical assessment If the person is found incapable of participating in the proceedings, the inquiry or trial is postponed until the person regains the capacity to make a defense.
These are the safeguards under the criminal proceedings conducted in a manner consistent with the right to fair trial.
Further, persons with mental disease, mental illness.
If a prisoner develop a mental illness, prisoner may be transferred to the designated mental hospital to receive appropriate care and treatment.
I think Yeah, we will thank you very much.
Thank you so much.
We have completed the first part of the task force round under close to two.
The remaining 20 minutes of this first round will be continued at the beginning of the afternoon meeting.
I thank honorable distinguished delegation for your comprehensive list.
This concludes the morning meeting.
We will reconvene at 3:00 P.M.
This meeting is adjourned.
Thank you.