SC delivers landmark ruling on accessibility for people with special needs

Colombo (News 1st): In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court today determined failure to provide accessibility facilities for people with special needs to enter premises of various institutions, violates their fundamental rights. The Ministry of Social Empowerment & Welfare and 07 other Government Institutions were ordered to take immediate measures to provide the necessary facilities adhering to the Disabled Persons Accessibility Regulations passed in 2006. The Supreme Court pointed out institutions which fail to provide accessible facilities can be punished by filing a legal action with a Magistrate's Court. The SC order was issued on the ;

• Ministry of Social Empowerment & Welfare
• Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government
• Ministry of Megapolis & Western Development
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Housing and Construction
• Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms
• Ministry of Tourism
• Urban Development Authority

The Supreme Court bench of Justices Prasanna Jayawardena, Murdhu Fernando and Vijith Malalgoda delivered the ruling after considering the FR petition filed by Dr Ajith Perera. The Government was ordered to pay a legal fee of Rs. 50,000 to the petitioner.