Mar. 31 (UN-NY), Minister for Social Services and Social Welfare Hon. Douglas Devananda, signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka at the UN in New York on 30 March 2007.

The Convention which aims to ensure that people with disabilties enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with everyone else, was signed by over 75 member States as well as the European Community, at a ceremony held at the United Nations.

Sri Lanka’s signature of this Convention follows the commitment given by President Rajapaksa in the Mahinda Chintana to take steps including the enactment of legislation to ensure that all persons with disabilties are treated as respected and able citizens without discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, Sri Lanka also declared Year 2007 as the “Year of Accessibility” in order to create and enabling living environment to persons with disabilities. The signature of the Convention is also a manifestation of the democratic tradition of Sri Lanka under which each and every individual including disabled persons are guaranteed equal rights.

The Convention ensures that persons with disabilities enjoy the same human rights as everyone else, and are able to lead their lives as fully-fledged citizens who can make valuable contributions to society if given the same opportunities.

Following the signature of the Convention, Sri Lanka also participated in a High-Level Dialogue covering political and technical issues on implementing the Convention.

Minister Devananda also held meetings with Ministers from the UK, Italy, Sweden, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea to exchange views on implementation of the Convention.

The Minister was accompanied by the Secretary of the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare, Mrs. V Jegarasasingam, Advisor to the Minister, Ms. M. Valautham, and Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam.

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN, New York
30 March 2007