The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Thank you, Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees.

¶ 02 It is a privilege to speak on Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva’s motion. When I entered Parliament, I wished to work closely with certain Members, and Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva was one. Appointing a Member like him is historic; the whole credit must go to the Government.

¶ 03 On the 3 percent quota: it should go further. In my time at the Attorney General’s Department, I saw a few persons with disabilities recruited. The problem is that “persons with disabilities” is treated as a single category—blind, deaf, and all others together—without matching capacities, education, and skills to specific roles. Our focus must start with education: specialized facilities for children with disabilities. Other countries have compulsory job quotas; here even the 3 percent public sector quota is poorly realized, and among the blind and deaf it is even rarer.

¶ 04 Let me share a personal story. The Ratmalana School for the Blind—often colloquially called the school at “Golumadama junction”—produced, among others, the Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva. That is a source of pride. Religious institutions supported it. Our state does not run enough special schools or provide dedicated quotas in regular schools. Blind students need Braille; the deaf and hard of hearing need tailored support.

¶ 05 I myself came from a small temple school in Kalmunai where Sinhala instruction was provided under “Sinhala only.” Later I entered D. S. Senanayake College and joined a TV quiz knowledge program panel, but only elite schools were usually chosen. One day, because no participants came forward from the Ratmalana School for the Blind for their event, I got a chance. I went there, answered on radio, and the students applauded. Speaking with them changed my understanding of our common humanity. That moment was a turning point in my life.

¶ 06 Therefore, beyond the 3 percent in public service, we must build proper education and skills pipelines for persons with disabilities; otherwise they end up marginalized in bus stands and public spaces. Thank you, Madam.