Access to new public buildings and facilities

Wednesday, 28 March 2012 00:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Public asked to report on non-compliance

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka invites the public to notify the Commission about buildings and places in the state and private sector constructed after 27 April 2011 that do not provide facilities that would enable them to access and use all its parts with safety and dignity with ease in daily life, regardless of the degree of their abilities.

A press release issued by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) states that it has initiated action to monitor the situation relating to the implementation of the Supreme Court order SCFR 221 / 2009 issued on 27 April 2011 applicable to all parts of New public buildings, facilities and places, toilets and wash areas in particular, that concerns accessibility as an inherent human right of national importance.

The press release further states that this initiative is the result of the discussions the Chairman of HRCSL former Supreme Court Judge Justice Priyantha R. P. Perera had with accessibility activist Dr. Ajith C. S. Perera.

This was a follow-up to a media conference held earlier on 29 February last and discussions with Dr. Perera had focused about the waste of human potential, unwanted dependency, loss of gainful opportunities and safety hazards to precious lives as a consequence of prolong violations and non-compliance of standards and regulations at built environments that were gazetted on 17 October 2006 by their owners and co-owners and thereby aggravating social and economic issues plaguing the country in untold proportions.

Justice Perera further states an estimated 25% of Sri Lanka’s population experience ‘restricted abilities’ to different levels, especially to move freely, which includes the growing number of seniors, pregnant mothers, those with numerous debilitating conditions.

The press release further stressed the fact that the rights of the disabled should also be protected under Article 12 of our Constitution, which relates to equality of persons which is also a ‘fundamental right’ protected by the Constitution.

The Chairman mentioned earlier that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has a duty to pay special attention to the protection of the right to accessibility of all vulnerable groups of persons and also extended sincere thanks to Dr. Ajith Perera for the invitation extended by him to HRCSL to take all necessary action to safeguard rights of these groups.