Formed in 1929, The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon was the first organization to register under the Trade Unions Ordinance and is the principal Trade Union representing employers. The EFC, with funding from the ILO, developed the Employers’ Network on Disability to facilitate employment and training opportunities in the Private Sector for jobseekers with disabilities, which was officially launched in the year 1999.
The object of forming the Network is to link the business community and the organizations dealing with disability issues to facilitate mainstreaming its work.
The Capacity Development for Local Governments (CDLG) Project of UNDP Sri Lanka is part of larger efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the local governance system in the country.
These efforts are supported by the European Union, and the World Bank.
Disability inclusion is one of the key strategic priorities for UNDP Sri Lanka in keeping with the commitment of UNDP globally and the new initiatives of disability inclusion strategy and their commitment to leave no one behind.
A team led by Manique Gunaratne did a disability accessibility audit and an advocacy group discussion were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Lahugala Pradeshiya Sabha, and staff members (persons with non-disabilities) of the Pradeshiya Sabha on how to have an inclusive approach when providing services which already exists at the Lahugala Pradeshiya Sabha in Ampara district in Eastern Province in October 2022.
UNDP acknowledges the fact that disability is a crosscutting issue which needs a multi-stakeholder intervention including local government authorities.
Local Governments play a vital role in the lives of people with disabilities because of their broad mandate. Unlike most state government institutions, Local Governments are multi-functional, with extensive responsibilities and activities across property, community, and human service areas and, in addition, have the capacity to make policy level decisions at the local level.
All of these functions and decisions directly or indirectly impact upon the quality of life of the people with disabilities who live, work, and socialize in their local communities.
Therefore, CDLG through this initiative seeks to enhance the internal capacity of local authorities to adhere to disability accessibility regulations in Sri Lanka and raise the awareness on the importance of disability inclusive accessibility to local level services.
MANIQUE GUNARATNE
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