The government will take measures to amend and update the National Policy on persons with disabilities this year,Women, Child Affairs and Social Security and Healthcare and Indigenous Medical Services Minister yesterday said in Parliament.Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa raising a question under standing orders 27/2 last Thursday (6) said the members of the Disability Organizations Joint Front recently met him and have expressed their concerns on the rights of persons with disabilities.
In reply to the concerns raised by the Opposition Leader, Health Minister pra Wanniaarachchi said that the National Secretariat and the National Council for persons with disabilities are continuingly monitoring and evaluation the conditions of the disabled persons.
The UN Charter for persons with Disabilities has been translated into Sinhala and Tamil by 2016 and is now being translated to alternative communication languages such as Brail and Sign language, Minister Wanniaarachchi observed. The Minister also said that the government is in the process of recruiting disabled persons for employment and that steps will be taken to recruit persons with disabilities under the 3% quota for appointments to the Public Management Service.
Legislative Standing Committee members nominated
The names of the members nominated for the Legislative Standing Committee was announce yesterday by Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri. The Legislative Standing Committee will function under the chairmanship of the Deputy Speaker.
Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena, Johnston Fernando, Gamini Lokuge, Thilanga Sumathipala and MPs (Dr.)Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Faiszer Musthapha,Vijayakala Maheswaran, Sriyani Wijewickrama, Edward Gunasekara, Namal Rajapaksa, Thushara Indunil, Nalaka Prasad Calonne, Sisira Jayakody, (Dr). Nalinda Jayatissa were nominated for the Legislative Standing Committee.
The responsibility of the Committee is to consider the private member motions and bills presented by the Members of Parliament.
Condolences extended to four members
The House moved votes on Condolences for four former Members of Parliament yesterday. Parliament expressed its condolences to the families of late C.Nanda Mathew, late Dr.Ranjith Atapattu, late Prince Casinader, and late M.S.Themis.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa moving the votes on Condolences observed that the House should arrange a system where information concerning the demises of the ex- members of Parliament reaches Parliament swiftly.
Expressing condolences for ex-MP and former Minister Nanda Mathew, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said that late Mathew provided an excellent service to the country for a long period of time.
“Mathew was a Buddhist, a well-known land owner and a talented entrepreneur in estate industry. He received his education from S.Thomas’ College Guruthalawa and Mount Lavinia. He got married to Indira Kulathilake and their daughter is Nanditha Mathew. Mathew was the youngest to be elected as a Member of Parliament in that General Election held in 1965. He got elected again in 1977 and held Deputy Minister Portfolios in Naval Services and Tourism, Rural Industry Development and Mahaweli Development. He got elected again at the 1989 general election and was given the ministerial portfolio in Youth Affairs and Sports.In 1994, Mathew held two more ministerial portfolios in Special Duties and Naval and Naval Development and contributed immensely to strengthen the economy of the country,” Prime Minister Rajapaksa said.
Extending sympathies on late Dr. Ranjith Athapattu, Prime Minister Rajapaksa observed late Dr. Attapattu’s significant contribution to develop the Beliatta Hospital. The Premier noted that late Dr. Athapattu was the Deputy Chairperson of the World Health Organization and also was the Chairman of the Cuban Friendship Society. PM Rajapaksa observed that late Dr. Athapattu was a director at the WHO following his retirement as an MP.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa expressing condolences to the family of late Prince Casinadar, observed that Casinader stayed a MP representing Batticaloa during the trying days of war. “Casinader provided a great service to his community by saving the lives of young girls and boys during the war.” Prime Minister Rajapaksa also observed that Casinader was a versatile person who did a lot of community service.
“Prior to being a Parliamentarian, Casinader worked as a volunteer teacher when his school, the Methodist College in Batticaloa, was short of teachers. Then he went on to become a trained teacher, a deputy principal and a principal,” the Premier added.
Extending condolences to the family of late M.S.Themis, Premier Rajapaksa observed that the ex- Member of Parliament was a great orator and a trade union activist who always fought for the rights of workers. Late MP Themis was working with all progressive and revolutionary political camps such as Sri Lanka Freedom Party headed by S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike, Samasamaja Party headed by Philip Gunawardena and Mahajana Eksath Peramuna.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa also noted that late MP Themis will always be remembered as a unique politician and remain a great leader in the hearts of working class people.
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