Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2016-11-15

Amendment to the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act

- The Protection of the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities Act, No.28 of 1996 is implemented as a legal framework for securing the rights of the persons with disabilities living in Sri Lanka. On 8 February, 2016 Sri Lanka ratified the 'United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities'. Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. S.B. Dissanayake, the Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare, to amend the Act, No.28 of 1996 for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to secure 30 Rights including the general principles stipulated in the above Convention and to establish an Independent Commission in place of the 'National Council' established under the above Act, with a view to providing a greater service for the Persons with Disabilities, was approved by the Cabinet.