The Sri Lanka Institute of Interior Designers, invited Manique Gunaratne to speak at the World Interiors Day 2022 Programme at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in May 2022.
Sri Lanka Institute of Interior Designers is the apex body and the national organization for Interior Design in Sri Lanka. Founded by a group of interior designers as the Association of Interior Designers in 1984, it was incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1998 as the Sri Lanka Institute of Interior Designers (SLIID). The members consist of MSc. holders to Diplomates and Students in Interior Design.
The International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers Day falls on May 28, 2022. The theme for the year is “Pride of the Past – An Incentive for the Future”. In keeping with this theme, the goal is to build an awareness of disabilities people face from birth and during unexpected situations, and the need to address this issue as designers, through the concept of “Design for All”.
In other words, trying to find the answers to the present crisis in the country through innovative universal designs which would benefit each one of us in the long run.
Manique Gunaratne spoke on:
Principles of universal design: Equitable use; Flexibility in use; Simple and Intuitive Use. Perceptible Information. Tolerance for Error. Low Physical Effort. Size and Space for Approach and Use.
Examples of universal design
A briefing about laws and regulations.
Conducting the session
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Conducting the session
Participants
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MANIQUE GUNARATNE Committee Member – SPRINT Committee of Family Planning Association
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is working to promote meaningful and sustainable inclusion of persons with disabilities across all its programmes and operations and to effectively and systematically include persons with disabilities, especially #women and young persons with disabilities in development, humanitarian, sustaining peace and peacebuilding settings.
As such, to initiate a dialogue to identify and strengthen advocacy, accountability, inclusion mechanisms and to identify key areas of interventions and potential partnerships UNFPA organized a stakeholder consultation with persons with disabilities and those who work with persons with disabilities in May 2023 at the UN Conference Hall.
Manique Gunaratne contributed on how to include women with disabilities and key priority areas.
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The accessible children’s park is a remarkable place where children with disabilities can play and enjoy outdoor activities without any barriers. It features wheelchair-accessible ramps and pathways throughout the park, ensuring that children using mobility aids can move freely and independently. The park boasts specially designed play equipment such as inclusive swings, sensory play zones, and adaptive climbing structures, allowing all children to participate in the fun. Trained staff members are always on hand to provide assistance and support, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for children with various needs. The accessible children’s park is a testament to the community’s commitment to inclusivity, promoting play, socialization, and laughter for children of all abilities.
Manique Gunaratne created the opportunity to a group of persons with disabilities to visit the Sahana Centre Children’s Park in Nochchiyagama in Anuradhapura district in May 2022.
ClimberManique at the ParkTeam MembersThe ClimberAccessible SwingAccessible SlideAccessible See-sawAccessible monkey barAccessible merry-go-roundAccessible Bike
Enhances independence and self-confidence for many individuals with disabilities everyday life can be constrained by reliance on others. Traveling offers a chance to step out of their comfort zones, make decisions independently, and overcome challenges. As they successfully navigate unfamiliar environments, their self-confidence soars, and they gain a renewed sense of self-worth.
Manique Gunaratne created the opportunity for a group of persons with disabilities to visit the Rajanganaya Tank in Anuradhapura district in November 2021.
Rajanganaya is an ancient region which is 2000 years old. It is one of the 1655 lakes in Sri lanka in the Tank kingdom that very important things of the Sinhala culture have deposited. Before the arrival of Prince Vijaya, 4 tribal groups in Sri Lanka, namely yakka, Deva, Naga and Raksha. Among these tribal groups, main settlements and commercial cities of the yakka, had been built related to the Asela Pabbatha of Rajanganaya region.
According to the ancient folk tales left band of the Kalaoya was known as Giriba Rata and right band was Angamuwa rata. Maharapi Off the Rajanganaya tank was built by crossing Kalaoya and Kaadigala had joing to the built tank bund. It was a creation of king Wasamba. According to the history prince Thissa the son of the king Wasamba had built the ” Maha Mangala Vihara ” on the top of the kaadigala to be memorized his beloved mother. In addition, that “Anula Pabbatha Vihara”, Aselastupa and vihara was built relating to Angamuwa region, for the memories of his mother.
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The EFC, with an overall vision statement to promote social harmony through productive employment, is implementing several proactive measures to encourage its members to hire people with disabilities.
The EFC is the representative employers’ Organisation in Sri Lanka on social issues. It has a membership of 700 plus member Companies. Formed in 1929, it 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 disabled jobseekers, which was officially launched in the year 1999. It has a membership of 700 plus Companies.
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 disability accessibility audit and the advocacy group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Nallur 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 Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha in Jaffna district in Northern Province in April 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.
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MANIQUE GUNARATNE The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, 385 J3 Old Kotte Road, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka.
Traveling is a universally cherished experience that offers enriching insights into different cultures, landscapes, and lifestyles. For persons with disabilities, embarking on a journey can be even more profound, as it presents unique opportunities for personal growth, empowerment, and breaking down barriers. We delve into the significance of traveling for individuals with disabilities and highlight its transformative impact.
Manique Gunaratne created the opportunity for a group of persons with disabilities to visit the Girihadu Seya Temple in Trincomalee district in December 2022.
The oldest incident connected with the site is etched in an 8th century Sanskrit epigraph found at the site which refers to a shrine named Girikandicaitya being established on the hill-top by a company of merchants headed by Tapassu and Bhallika.
According to the Nidanakatha and Mahavagga a book on the Vinaya, Tapassu and Bhallika were two brother merchants who offered some victuals to the Buddha, in the 8th week after his enlightenment. They are considered the first lay disciples of #Lord #Buddha who sought the refuge of the Master and the Dhamma. And on request the Master gifted them with a handful of #hair #relics. Tradition claims that the two merchants enshrined the holy relics and built a shrine here.
As such this shrine would have been built during the lifetime of Lord Buddha. Scholars attribute it to possibly the c. The present structure or the ruins of the vatadage consisting of a small stupa encircled by two concentric circles of stone pillars and a retaining wall of stone slabs, however is believed to have evolved with time.
The vatadage at Thiriyaya, while conforming to the general pattern of the vatadage, had architectural features which have not been noticed at any other shrine of this class.
The capitals of the pillars at Thiriyaya have not been separately carved and joined as at other vatadage sites. Facing the entrances at the cardinal points are altars of carved granite slabs. At the head of each flight of steps is a stone doorway.
The four entrances at the cardinal points are provided with moon stones, makara balustrades and naga guardstones . The moonstones are plain except for a lotus petal carving at the circumference. The guardstones are the most striking artistic feature. The Naga kings are depicted as having an air of austerity, not overloaded with jewelry and are benign in expression. According to scholars these qualities along with their elongated limbs suggest the Pallava style of art belongs to a phase earlier than Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
Another unusual feature here is the evidence of a wooden upright of a railing which may have covered the space between the top of the stone wall and the roof. Around the vatadage are seen the remains of image houses of which the largest housed a large recumbent Buddha image.
On the terraces lower down the hill are ruins of monastic structures, ponds and flights of steps leading to different levels. A stone bridge indicates that an ancient highway passed this site. Some rock caves bear early Brahmi inscriptions indicating the existence of a monastery even during pre-Christian times. The earliest datable inscription at the site is the pre-Christian Brahmi inscription recording the dedication of a cave to the Buddhist monks.
As such a pilgrimage to Thiriyaya vatadage is a poignant experience for the Buddhist in you as much as the naturalist, architect and archaeologist in you.
The Entrance of the Temple
Manique at the Temple
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Manique at the Temple
Front ViewHanging Flags
Lighting Oil Lamp
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Entrance of the Temple
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Manager – Specialised Training and Disability Resource Centre of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon
The Specialized Training and Disability Resource Centre of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon is pleased to inform you that we are undertaking assignments with regard to the preparation of communication materials such as Leaflets, Brochures, Flyers, Notices etc. in Braille, Large print, audio, accessible e-copies, and sign-language in all three languages at a nominal fee.
Access to public information is a basic human right. For corporates, by making such information and communication about your products and services available for your customers or employees with diverse disabilities in #accessible formats will be an impactful exercise.
Manique Gunaratne prepared A leaflet on “Sexual and Reproductive Health” published by the Family Planning Association in accessible formats to be distributed among persons with disabilities in all corners of Sri Lanka in March 2023.
Braille ReadingBraille ReadingBraille printingHanding over the Braille materials
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Vice Chairperson – South Asian Disability Forum
The welfare benefits assessment led by the Welfare Benefits Board, is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank (WB). The Welfare Benefit Board has introduced a system to identify those in financial need amidst the current economic and political crisis. Accordingly, a QR code system has been developed for those that should register as beneficiaries of the welfare subsidy. All those registered will be assessed based on a set of 22 indicators – using a Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) mode (digitized survey). This survey has been translated into local languages and digitized on Kobotoolbox platform using a customised application called Aswesuma.
The Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) provided technical support to improve the survey tool, develop the training material and module and deliver the training required to administer the CAPI survey.
30 master trainers, who will act in the capacity of Trainer of Trainers (TOT) were trained on the questionnaire/survey by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) and on CAPI by the Welfare Benefits Board and CEPA.
Manique Gunaratne was one of the Master Trainers to support an inclusive approach to include persons with disabilities into the scheme. The master trainer pool then trained 330 Statistical Officers (SOs) and 660 Development Officers (DOs), who then trained 14,000 enumerators at each GN division. The role of the master trainers was to ensure that the survey purpose, indicator definitions and navigation and use of the CAPI /Aswesuma platform are transferred to the DCS officers – in both Sinhala and Tamil. These DCS officers acted in the capacity of trouble-shooters and first line of defence for the 14,000 enumerators. The training sessions were held at the BMICH, at the Department of Census & Statistics and at the CEPA office from October to December 2022.
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MANIQUE GUNARATNE Committee Member – SPRINT Committee of Family Planning Association
The University of Colombo conducted a series of trainings on Disability Awareness and Sensitization under the Faculty of Arts – AHEAD grant and implemented in collaboration with Centre for Disability Research Education and Practice (CEDREP) and the Staff Development Centre (SDC), University of Colombo for the non-academic staff in March 2022.
Ms. Manique Gunaratne conducted the sessions on how to provide:
Diversity of disability – varied lived realities of persons with disabilities.
The role of inclusive technology and assistive devices.
Inclusive language and terminology.
Building a respectful and inclusive university community by interaction, assistance, disability accommodation and socialization.
Travel involves; before the trip: planning, during the trip: enjoyment and formation of new memories and after the trip: utilization of obtained resources.
Therefore, with all these arguments, there is no option but to conclude that travel improves self-esteem and social skills in addition to having a clear and direct health benefit. Travel is the key that opens the door to what all human beings crave: happiness.
Manique Gunaratne created the opportunity for a group of persons with disabilities to visit the Yapahuwa Rock in January 2022.
Yapahuwa was one of the ephemeral capitals of medieval Sri Lanka The citadel of Yapahuwa lying midway between Kurunagala and Anuradhapura was built around a huge granite rock rising abruptly almost a hundred meters above the surrounding lowlands.
In 1272, King Bhuvenakabahu transferred the capital from Polonnaruwa to Yapahuwa in the face of Dravidian invasions from South India, bringing the Sacred Tooth Relic with him. Following the death of King Bhuvenakabahu in 1284, the Pandyans of South India invaded Sri Lanka once again, and succeeded in capturing the Sacred Tooth Relic. Following its capture, Yapahuwa was largely abandoned and inhabited by Buddhist monks and religious ascetics.
The rock fortress complex of Yapahuwa is situated in the North Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is approximately between southeast of Mahawa midway Kurunegala and Anuradhapura. The original name of this Buddhist Heritage is Yapawwa, but now this is called as Yapahuwa which is a kind of distortion of its genuine etymological sense.
Yapahuwa served as the capital of Sri Lanka in the latter part of the 13th century (1273–1284). Built on a huge, 90 meter high rock boulder in the style of the Sigiriya rock fortress, Yapahuwa was a palace and military stronghold against foreign invaders.
The palace and fortress were built by King Buvanekabahu I (1272–1284) in the year 1273. Many traces of ancient battle defenses can still be seen, while an ornamental stairway is its biggest showpiece. This staircase is a long one with around 100 steps. On top of the rock are the remains of a stupa, a Bodhi tree enclosure, and a rock shelter/cave used by Buddhist monks, indicating that earlier this site was used as a Buddhist monastery, like many boulders and hills in the area. There are several caves at the base of the rock. In one of them there is a shrine with Buddha images. One cave has a Brahmi script inscription. At the southern base of the rock there is a fortification with two moats and ramparts. In this enclosure there are the remains of a number of buildings including a Buddhist shrine. There is also a Buddhist temple called Yapahuwa Rajamaha Vihara built during the Kandyan period.
The Tooth Relic was brought from Dambadeniya and kept in the Tooth Temple built for the purpose at the top of the third staircase. The relics were carried away from the temple here to South India by the Pandyas, and then recovered in 1288 by Parakkramabahu III (1287–1293), who temporarily placed them in safety at Polonnaruwa.
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Manique sitting on the stairs
Manique at the top of the rockView of the surroundingsGroup Photograph
