Tag Archives: Maniquegunaratne

CREATING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR INCLUSIVE VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN SRI LANKA

Let us create an enabling environment for persons with disabilities and marginalized communities to have availability and improved access to quality inclusive vocational training measures.

GIZ Sri Lanka organised an Inclusive Vocational Training Roundtable conference at Hotel Taj in October 2023.

 Policy Framework for Inclusive Vocational Education in Sri Lanka and Recommendations to create an enabling environment for persons with disabilities and marginalized communities to have availability and improved access to quality inclusive vocational training measures were discussed at the round table conference.

Manique Gunaratne spoke on “Vocational trainings provided by The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre for persons with disabilities”.

A sign language app was launched at this round table conference.

Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
At the session
At the session
Launch of the App
Launch of the App
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Sign Language interpretation
Sign Language interpretation
Sign Language interpretation

MANIQUE GUNARATNE

PROMOTING INCLUSIVITY AND AWARENESS AT KANTALE DAM

Travel Promotes Inclusivity and Awareness. 

Traveling for persons with disabilities fosters inclusivity by challenging societal perceptions and raising awareness about disability-related issues. As they explore new destinations, they become ambassadors of accessibility, advocating for improved infrastructure, and promoting a greater understanding of diverse needs.

Manique Gunaratne gave the opportunity to a group of persons with disabilities to visit the Kantale Tank in Trincomalee district in November 2022.The Kantale Dam  is a large embankment dam built in Kantale, Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka, used for irrigation. It is 14,000 ft (4,267 m) long, and over 50 ft (15 m) high. The dam impounds the Per Aru, a small river discharging into the Koddiyar Bay, at Trincomalee Harbour. The tank was built by King Aggabodhi II (604-614 AD) and further developed by King Parakramabahu the Great. It was also known as Gangathala Vapi at the time. The reservoir has a catchment area of 216 km2 (83 sq mi) and a capacity of 135 million cubic meters .

View of the tank
View of the tank
View of the tank
View of the tank
Manique near the Kantale Tank
Manique near the Kantale Tank
View of the tank
View of the tank
Nameboard
Nameboard
 Team members
Team members
Manique near the Kantale Tank
Manique near the Kantale Tank
 Team members
Team members
 Sight seeing at the dam
Sight seeing at the dam
 Sight seeing at the dam
Sight seeing at the dam

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

VANITHABHIMANA 2022

Sri Lanka Vanithabimana 2022 Grand Finale was Held at BMICH coinciding with International Women’s Day, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). In March 2022. The Vanithabimana initiative introduced by NDB Bank in partnership with Sirasa News 1st, has become a platform for Sri Lankan female achievers who are fast breaking new ground. The platform is a national level program that has empowered and recognized female achievers across different sectors who directly or in directly contribute to the Sri Lankan economy.

One of the main aims of the program was to get women to participate in the modern marketplace and to encourage and facilitate their entry to it. The program also takes steps towards appreciating and felicitating those women who actively contribute to the economy and society.

The Grand Finale recognized the winners selected at a national level from the two main categories, namely the Provincial sector ( which included Entrepreneurship (small scale), Entrepreneurship (micro scale), Entrepreneurship (upcoming), Young leader, Environmental Management, Sports, Volunteer Services, Innovation, Literature and Education Services) and the Corporate & Professional Sector ( which covers sectors such as Human Resources, Financial Management, Sales and Marketing, Legal, State sector, Information Technology, Tourism, Art, Sports and Entrepreneurship). In addition, the Most Popular Woman in Sri Lanka award (selected based on SMS nominations from the general public) and the “Once in a Lifetime” Appreciation Award to 5 eminent veteran female personalities was presented at the event.

Manique Gunaratne was among the five finalists in the Information & Communication (ICT) category competing with persons with non-disabilities.

Presenting Awards
Presenting Awards
Group Dance
Group Dance
At the Audience
At the Audience
Participants
Participants
Participants
Participants
In front of the Flags
In front of the Flags
In front of the Building
In front of the Building
At the Red Carpet
At the Red Carpet
In front of the Flags
In front of the Flags
In front of the BMICH Fountain
In front of the BMICH Fountain
In front of Vanithabhimana Banner
In front of Vanithabhimana Banner
In front of the Building
In front of the Building
In front of the Building
In front of the Building
In front of the Building
In front of the Building
At the BMICH
At the BMICH
At the BMICH
At the BMICH
At the BMICH
At the BMICH
At the BMICH
At the BMICH
At the BMICH
At the BMICH
 In front of Vanithabhimana Banner
In front of Vanithabhimana Banner

At BMICH
At BMICH
Last Year Honorees
Last Year Honorees
At BMICH
At BMICH

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Blog: http://efcnetworkondisability.employers.lk/

SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR WOMEN WITH DISABILITY

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre together with Manchester International conducted a Soft Skills Development training for women titled “Fem Train” from September to November 2021. The “Fem Train” programme included women with disabilities. Women with disabilities were trained in soft skills to develop their employability skills.

Awarding the Certificate
Awarding the Certificate
Employment Session
Employment Session
 Employment Session
Employment Session
Group Photograph
Group Photograph

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Steering Committee Member – International Labour Organisation Global Business Disability Network

EMPLOYMENT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Established in 1929, the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) is the national employers’ organisation in Sri Lanka. Over the years, we have committed ourselves to adapting to the requirements of a dynamic membership to promote productive employment and social harmony.
The Employers Network on Disability was formed by the EFC with the objective of facilitating employment and training opportunities for persons with disabilities in the private sector. Officially launched in 1999, the initiative was supported by the International Labour Organisation. Since then the network is actively serving its purpose by strengthening the link between organisations dealing with disability-related issues, the business community and persons with disabilities.

The Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre was established in 2009 with the objective of training persons with diverse disabilities and developing their employability skills. We play a key role in advocacy and lobbying for the rights of persons with diverse disabilities and our aim is to promote inclusive economic development in all parts of the country thus creating long term sustainable employment and livelihoods for persons with disabilities.

Coats Thread Exports PLC, a member company of EFC provides employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Ms. Pramokshi Fernando with a physical disability was recruited making Coats Thread Exports PLC an inclusive workplace in 2021.

Discussion on employment opportunity
Discussion on employment opportunity
Discussion on employment opportunity
Discussion on employment opportunity
Discussion on employment opportunity
Discussion on employment opportunity

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Member of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities

ACCESS FOR ALL AT NUWARAGAM PALATHA EAST PRADESHIYA SABHA

People with disabilities are more likely than the general population to suffer anxiety, discomfort, and animosity. To a significant measure, such attitudes arise from a lack of understanding of disability and what it’s like to live in a world with individuals who do not share that experience. As a result, in Sri Lanka, collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre took the initiative to implement a project to provide recommendations on Disability Accessibility and Capacity Building of Local Government Authorities in Sri Lanka.

The team from EFC led by Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse disabilities did disability accessibility checking to give recommendations at Nuwaragam Palatha East Pradeshiya Sabha, in Anuradhapura district,  in North Central Province in November 2021 to give recommendations on how to make the Nuwaragam Palatha East Pradeshiya Sabha access for all. Two Advocacy Group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Nuwaragam Palatha East 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.

Nameboard of the PS Authority
Nameboard of the PS Authority
The team at the Entrance
The team at the Entrance
Team at the Reception Area
The team at the Reception Area
At the office area
At the office area
 The team at the Reception Area
The team at the Reception Area
Group Photograph
Group Photograph
The team at the entrance
The team at the entrance
Discussion with the staff members
Discussion with the staff members
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
At the reception
At the reception
At the pathway
At the pathway
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Committee Member – SPRINT Committee of Family Planning Association

ACCESS FOR ALL AT RAMBAWA PRADESHIYA SABHA

People with disabilities are more likely than the general population to suffer anxiety, discomfort, and animosity. To a significant measure, such attitudes arise from a lack of understanding of disability and what it’s like to live in a world with individuals who do not share that experience. As a result, in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), the Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre took the initiative to implement a project to provide recommendations on Disability Accessibility and Capacity Building of Local Government Authorities in Sri Lanka.

The team from EFC led by Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse disabilities did disability accessibility checking to give recommendations at Rambawa Pradeshiya Sabha, in Anuradhapura district,  in North Central Province in November 2021 to give recommendations on how to make the Rambawa Pradeshiya Sabha access for all. Two Advocacy Group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Rambawa Pradeshiya Sabha and staff members (persons with non-disabilities) of the Pradeshiya Sabha on how to have an inclusive approach when providing services that already exist.

Nameboard
Nameboard
Recommending accessibility at the entrance
Recommending accessibility at the entrance
Recommending accessibility in the office area
Recommending accessibility in the office area
 Recommending Accessibility at the Main Gate
Recommending Accessibility at the Main Gate
Accessibility checking
Accessibility checking
Recommending accessibility at the Library
Recommending accessibility at the Library
Advocacy Group Discussion
Recommending accessibility at the entrance

Recommending accessibility at the entrance
Group Photograph
Group Photograph
 Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
 Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Accessibility checking in the pathway
Accessibility checking in the pathway
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Recommending Accessibility at the Main Gate
Recommending Accessibility at the Main Gate
Recommending Library Accessibility
Recommending Library Accessibility
Recommending accessibility in the office area
Recommending accessibility in the office area
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
 Recommending Accessibility at the Main Gate
Recommending Accessibility at the Main Gate
Recommending accessibility in office area
Recommending accessibility in the office area
Accessibility checking in the pathway
Accessibility checking in the pathway
Recommending Library Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Accessibility checking in the pathway
Accessibility checking in the pathway
Recommending library accessibility
Recommending library accessibility

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Vice-Chair Person – South Asian Disability Forum

ACCESS FOR ALL AT NUWARAGAM PALATHA CENTRAL PRADESHIYA SABHA

People with disabilities are more likely than the general population to suffer anxiety, discomfort, and animosity. To a significant measure, such attitudes arise from a lack of understanding of disability and what it’s like to live in a world with individuals who do not share that experience. As a result, in Sri Lanka, collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre took the initiative to implement a project to provide recommendations on Disability Accessibility and Capacity Building of Local Government Authorities in Sri Lanka. The team from EFC led by Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse disabilities did disability accessibility checking to give recommendations at Nuwaragam Palatha Central Pradeshiya Sabha, in Anuradhapura district,  in North Central Province in November 2021 to give recommendations on how to make the Nuwaragam Palatha Central Pradeshiya Sabha access for all. Two Advocacy Group Discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Nuwaragam Palatha Central 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.

Sign language interpretation at the Advocacy Group Discussion
Sign language interpretation at the Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion with Sign Language interpretation
Advocacy Group Discussion with Sign Language interpretation
Recommending accessibility for hearing impaired persons in the library
Recommending accessibility for hearing impaired persons in the library
Recommending accessibility for hearing impaired persons in the pathway
Recommending accessibility for hearing impaired persons in the pathway
Recommending wheelchair and vision-impaired accessibility at the entrance
Recommending wheelchair and vision-impaired accessibility at the entrance
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Recommending accessibility for vision impaired persons in the library
Recommending accessibility for vision impaired persons in the library
Measuring the gateway
Measuring the gateway
 Measuring the pathway
Measuring the pathway
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Recommending pathway accessibility for vision impaired persons
Recommending pathway accessibility for vision impaired persons
Group photograph
Group photograph
Group photograph
Group photograph

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Country Representative – World Disability and Rehabilitation Professionals’ Association (WDRPA)

ACCESS FOR ALL AT ANURADHAPURA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

People with disabilities are more likely to suffer anxiety, discomfort, and animosity than the general population. To a significant measure, such attitudes arise from a lack of understanding of disability and what it’s like to live in a world with individuals who do not share that experience. As a result, in Sri Lanka, collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre took the initiative to implement a project on Disability Accessibility Audit and Capacity Building of Local Government Authorities in Sri Lanka. The audit team from EFC led by #Manique Gunaratne, which included persons with diverse disabilities, did a disability accessibility audit at Anuradhapura Municipal Council (MC), in Anuradhapura district,  in North Central Province in November 2021 to give recommendations on how to make the Anuradhapura Municipal Council access for all.
Two Advocacy Group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Anuradhapura MC and staff members (persons with non-disabilities) of the Municipal Council on how to have an inclusive approach when providing services which already exists.

Team Members
Team Members
Team members at the entrance
Team members at the entrance
Hearing impaired person checking accessibility
Hearing-impaired person checking accessibility
Advocacy group meeting
Advocacy group meeting
Checking accessibility at Nenasala
Checking accessibility at Nenasala
Checking accessibility in the library
Checking accessibility in the library
Checking accessibility in the study area
Checking accessibility in the study area
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Team members
Team members
Advocacy group meeting
Advocacy group meeting
Checking accessibility at the library
Checking accessibility at the library
Checking accessibility at the library
Checking accessibility at the library
Checking accessibility in the pathway
Checking accessibility in the pathway

Manique Gunaratne
Member of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities