The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa

¶ 01 I am very disappointed that at this moment that Hon. Member is disrupting this debate and behaving in a manner disrespectful to persons with disabilities. We have ample opportunity to argue and debate. He was given seven minutes. Thereafter, he was also given another three or four minutes. If anyone observed this situation, it would be understood as an insult to persons with disabilities.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, the present government has paid great attention in a manner no other government did regarding how to provide facilities to persons with disabilities. The importance of the proposal presented by Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva is that he is asking for opportunities for all persons with disabilities to live their lives without impediment. Why do we not see persons with disabilities on the road? Why do we not see them on the bus? Why do we not see them in the workplace? Why do we not see them in town? Why do we not see them in shops? One might think such people do not exist in Sri Lanka. But there are hundreds of thousands. As a country we have failed to provide them facilities. We have failed to provide the necessary facilities for them even to travel on a bus. They do not have the facility to come to the city. Likewise, however many laws and regulations there are to allow them to work in institutions and have employment rights, these have not been implemented to date. Therefore, those people remain confined to their homes, their rooms, sometimes to their beds, with their parents and family members, living very difficult lives. This is a very sensitive matter. Therefore, the present government has paid attention to this. We have already prepared plans to implement all the proposals presented by the Hon. Member. Through our Ministry as well, a special programme has been prepared for this purpose. With that declaration, I conclude. Thank you very much.