The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, after winning power, political movements socialize their programmes in various ways. For the NPP, the main battle-cry before coming to power was about purification—of society, economy and culture—and most severely, of politics which had become deeply polluted. Therefore, the foremost task after gaining power is purification, across all sectors. Only then can people have dignified and beautiful lives. That is why President Anura Kumara Dissanayake launched the Clean Sri Lanka programme.

¶ 02 We can identify three main pillars: the social, the environmental, and the ethical/attitudinal. More sectors can be added, but we must understand who is being cleansed and elevated—this is a concept embraced by Sri Lankan society.

¶ 03 Recently newspapers reported that a differently-abled brother in Dambulla, even with a ticket, could not board buses to come to Colombo. Are route permits being issued to bus services that abandon differently-abled people on the road? Conductors and drivers must know that if a differently-abled person has a ticket, they must be boarded and transported.

¶ 04 Since 1977, with the way open economy was introduced here—emphasizing its negative sides—our ethical systems have collapsed. Previously, we gave high value to persons with disabilities, elders, women and children. Yet for decades the differently-abled—especially institutionalized—have faced adverse conditions; this is a breakdown of ethical systems. Clean Sri Lanka seeks to move attitudes in a positive direction. A civilized society must respect those groups and create equal opportunities.

¶ 05 Persons with disabilities are 8.7 per cent—over 1.7 million. The 1996 No. 28 Act guarantees access to education, vocation and employment. But access without enabling environments fails. For example, since the 1960s, fewer than 500 visually impaired graduates have emerged—showing systemic failure to place and support such persons properly. Maternity care for differently-abled women is often insensitive; hospital care frequently requires hiring private attendants despite a paid public system. We must change this ethically.

¶ 06 Our religions preach loving-kindness, love and brotherhood. Yet how would that Dambulla brother have felt when he could not board multiple buses? Thankfully, some intervened to help him onto the next bus, but it was a painful experience. If society continues to erode ethically, vulnerable groups will fall from precipice to precipice and lose dignity. A truly civilized society respects and empowers them. That is the rightful expectation of Clean Sri Lanka: to end social breakdown and elevate social relations—treat one’s sister, neighbour, all mothers and fathers with respect; and afford those with disabilities a dignified life.

¶ 07 I propose that the Clean Sri Lanka Task Force include a representative with disabilities, affirming the principle that “nothing about us without us.” Beyond cleaning the environment, we must create an accessible environment using universal design, removing physical barriers that disable. Then we too can breathe and enjoy purity within Clean Sri Lanka. Thank you.