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 DiscussionAt the sessionLaunch of the App Panel discussion Panel discussion Panel discussion Panel discussionSign Language interpretationSign Language interpretation
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 tankView of the tankManique near the Kantale TankView of the tankNameboardTeam membersManique near the Kantale TankTeam membersSight seeing at the damSight seeing at the dam
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 AwardsGroup DanceAt the AudienceParticipantsParticipantsIn front of the Flags In front of the Building
At the Red Carpet
In front of the FlagsIn front of the BMICH FountainIn front of Vanithabhimana BannerIn front of the BuildingIn front of the BuildingIn front of the BuildingAt the BMICHAt the BMICHAt the BMICHAt the BMICHAt the BMICHIn front of Vanithabhimana Banner
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 CertificateEmployment SessionEmployment SessionGroup Photograph
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Steering Committee Member – International Labour Organisation Global Business Disability Network
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 opportunityDiscussion on employment opportunityDiscussion on employment opportunity
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Member of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities
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 The team at the EntranceThe team at the Reception AreaAt the office areaThe team at the Reception AreaGroup PhotographThe team at the entranceDiscussion with the staff membersAdvocacy group discussionAdvocacy group discussionAt the receptionAt the pathway Advocacy group discussion
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Committee Member – SPRINT Committee of Family Planning Association
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 Recommending accessibility at the entranceRecommending accessibility in the office areaRecommending Accessibility at the Main GateAccessibility checkingRecommending accessibility at the LibraryAdvocacy Group Discussion
Recommending accessibility at the entrance
Group PhotographAdvocacy Group DiscussionAdvocacy Group DiscussionAccessibility checking in the pathway Advocacy Group DiscussionRecommending Accessibility at the Main GateRecommending Library Accessibility
Recommending accessibility in the office area
Advocacy Group Discussion Recommending Accessibility at the Main GateRecommending accessibility in the office areaAccessibility checking in the pathwayRecommending Library AccessibilityAdvocacy Group DiscussionAccessibility checking in the pathwayRecommending library accessibility
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Vice-Chair Person – South Asian Disability Forum
Watch the Video at: https://youtube.com/watch?v=cgAUu93LzoY&feature=share
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Manager – Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon 385 J3, Old Kotte Road, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka.
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 DiscussionAdvocacy Group Discussion with Sign Language interpretationRecommending accessibility for hearing impaired persons in the libraryRecommending accessibility for hearing impaired persons in the pathwayRecommending wheelchair and vision-impaired accessibility at the entranceAdvocacy Group DiscussionAdvocacy Group DiscussionRecommending accessibility for vision impaired persons in the libraryMeasuring the gatewayMeasuring the pathwayAdvocacy Group DiscussionRecommending pathway accessibility for vision impaired personsGroup photographGroup photograph
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Country Representative – World Disability and Rehabilitation Professionals’ Association (WDRPA)
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 MembersTeam members at the entranceHearing-impaired person checking accessibilityAdvocacy group meetingChecking accessibility at NenasalaChecking accessibility in the libraryChecking accessibility in the study areaAdvocacy group discussionAdvocacy group discussionTeam membersAdvocacy group meetingChecking accessibility at the libraryChecking accessibility at the libraryChecking accessibility in the pathway
Manique Gunaratne Member of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities
