HEARING IMPAIRED GRAPHIC DESIGNERS GET
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
A group of hearing impaired persons from the School for the Deaf in Rathmalana
successfully completed the Graphic Designer course at the Vocational Training Institute in
Narahenpita. Convenience Foods (Lanka) PLC, a subsidiary of Ceylon Biscuits Ltd.
Sponsored these hearing impaired students to successfully complete the training. Ms.
Manique Gunaratne of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training &
Disability Resource Centre provided Internship opportunities for all these Graphic Designers
in private sector companies so that they can complete the NVQ Level certification. In
October 2019 Convenience Food (Lanka) PLC organized a function to congratulate the
Graphic Designers and to extend their sincere gratitude to The Employers’ Federation of
Ceylon for finding Internship opportunities.
Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:
1 Manique with officers from Convenience Food, officers from School for the Deaf and the
graphic designers.

2 Group photograph.

Manique Gunaratne
Web: www.employers.lk

EMPLOYMENT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre
provides training opportunities to develop employability skills of persons with diverse
disabilities. All trainings are up-graded annually to suit the job market. A hearing-impaired
EFC trainee got an employment opportunity at Intermart Digital Pvt. Ltd. In March 2020.

Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:
1 Sansani at work.

2 Sansani at work.

3 Sansani and Manique.

Manique Gunaratne
E-mail – maniqueg@empfed.lk manique.g@gmail.com

JOB INTERVIEWS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre
together with Avery Denison Lanka conducted job interviews for persons with disabilities in
October 2019.
Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:
1 Interview panel interviewing.

2 Candidates facing interviews.

Manique Gunaratne
Mobile – 0094779571918

STRENGTHENING THE EMPLOYABILITY OF YOUTH
LEAVING CARE
The advocacy forum on Strengthening the Employability of Youth Leaving Care took
place in September 2019, at the BMICH. Ms. Manique Gunaratne is playing a role in
advocacy for youth with disabilities leaving care.
Supporting young people leaving alternative care to access decent employment is an
increasingly important priority for SOS Children’s Villages. They want to ensure that all
young people leaving care, receive adequate support to access the labour market.
Strengthening their employability skills is a key focus area, as gainful employment is a key
determinant in ensuring a fulfilling life. However, there are many challenges that are being
faced by this group of youth in acquiring the right skillset and securing decent employment,
owing to various structural issues. There is a mismatch between what is being taught in
educational institutions and the skill-sets needed by industry. Youth aspirations are out of line
with the realities of the labour market, and if left unaddressed, they can negatively affect
employment prospects for youth.
The open forum on ‘Strengthening the Employability of Youth Leaving Care’ attempts to
create a dialog between policy makers, employers, educational institutions and youth about
the employability of young people leaving care, including the challenges they face and their
recommendations to redress the situation. This event was led by youth advocates, supported
by the findings of youth consultations, conducted by SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka in
partnership with Generation Never Give Up (GNG) Network of care leavers in Sri Lanka.
Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:

Manique in the audience.
Manique Gunaratne
The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon,
385 J3 Old Kotte Road,
Rajagiriya,
Sri Lanka.

If you require a shawl with a smart look, please buy it from a entrepreneur with a disability.
Please contact Ms. Dilanthi De Tissera on +94 771845811.
Picture description for vision impaired persons:
Ladies shawls.

Manique Gunaratne
Member – Asia Pacific Women with Disability United

If you require garlands made by polythene for pooja in temples and kovils, buy it from an
entrepreneur with a disability. Please contact Mr. Chamila Suranga on +94 729924555.
Picture descriptions for vision impaired persons:
1 Garlands.

2 Garlands.

Manique Gunaratne
CISCO International Trainer for I T E (Information Technology Essentials) and CCNA
(Cisco Computer Network Associates)

A discussion on how to promote employment for persons with disabilities was held at the UNDP Office in October 2019.

Picture description for vision impaired persons:

At the discussion.

Manique Gunaratne

E-mail – maniqueg@empfed.lk     manique.g@gmail.com