Tag Archives: #Polonnaruwa

BREAKING PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS THROUGH TRAVEL – AT RAJA SABHA MANDAPAYA IN POLONNARUWA

Living with a disability often involves coping with psychological barriers stemming from self-doubt and fear of judgment. By traveling, individuals can confront these barriers, experiencing a sense of liberation as they realize their disability does not define their potential.

Manique Gunaratne created the opportunity for a group of persons with disabilities to visit the Raja Sabha Mandapaya in Polonnaruwa in June 2023.

Built by King Parakramabahu this structure is situated in front of the #palace. Built on 3 layers of solid rock, the border of the first layer is decorated with carved elephants each in a different posture. Second layer border is carved with figures of lions and the last layer with images of “wamana”.

The entrance to the building is through two beautifully carved lions. The roof has been supported by 48 beautifully carved stone pillars laid in 4 rows. To the south-east of the court there can see the remains of an ancient toilet.

Front view
Front view
Beside the stone pillars
Beside the stone pillars
Front view
Front view
Front view
Front view
Front view
Front view
Team Members
Team Members
At the Raja Sabha Mandapaya
At the Raja Sabha Mandapaya
At the Raja Sabha Mandapaya
At the Raja Sabha Mandapaya
At the Raja Sabha Mandapaya
At the Raja Sabha Mandapaya
At the Raja Sabha Mandapaya
At the Raja Sabha Mandapaya
Team Members
Team Members

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Manager – Specialised Training and Disability Resource Centre of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon

ACCESS FOR ALL AT POLONNARUWA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

UNDP CDLG is a four-year project (2020-2023) targeting the Eastern, Northern, North-Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka.

A Disability Accessibility Audit and two Advocacy Group discussions were held at the Polonnaruwa Municipal Council in Polonnaruwa district in North Central Province in Sri Lanka in January 2022. The team was led by Ms. Manique Gunaratne of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre. The advocacy group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Polonnaruwa Municipal Council and staff members (persons with non-disabilities) of the Municipal Council on how to have an inclusive approach when providing services which already exists.

It is part of the European Union’s STRIDE (Strengthening Transformation, Reconciliation, and Inclusive Democratic Engagement) programme focused on strengthening the capacities of local government authorities to be inclusive, responsive, and accountable, and improve service delivery.

Together with the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) Project of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), implemented this project on Disability accessibility audit and enhancing the capacity of technical officers in the local government structure. 

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. 

Polonnaruwa MC Nameboard
Polonnaruwa MC Nameboard
Group Photograph
Group Photograph
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Explaining accessibility recommendations
Explaining accessibility recommendations
 Manique in front of the MC
Manique in front of the MC
 Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
 Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMBhDQ516xwVr86zKLM1HUw

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH TRAVEL

When persons with disabilities travel to another location, especially if it is unknown, you are forcing your brain to deal with a continuous problem-solving process and overcoming challenges. Traveling mainly requires learning and memorizing the unknown until it becomes normal and familiar. This is a challenge for  the brain and is like intense training. It is important to train and stimulate the brain because, over time, the more connections mean the greater cognitive reserve, thus making your brain more resistant to age-related decline or the symptoms of neurological disorders.

Manique Gunaratne created the opportunity for a group of persons with disabilities to visit the Nishshanka Latha Mandapaya in Polonnaruwa in January 2022.

Nishshanka Latha Mandapaya is a unique structure in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. A màndapa is a pillared structure that is open on all sides and protects the person(s) inside from the sun with a roof. By definition, as of the 20th century, mándapas, as temporary structures, are built inside a house or a building and serve as recitation platform during remembrance ceremonies for the dead.

Built by King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196) and named after him, it is located near the western entrance of the Dalada Maluva, the area that contains the oldest and most sacred monuments in the city. A nearby stone inscription identifies this as the building used by Nissanka Malla to listen to pirith (chanting of Buddhist scriptures) 

The structure is an elevated stone platform with a number of stone columns and surrounded by a low stone wall. These stone columns are the unique feature about the Nissanka Latha Manadapaya, since they are carved in a manner that is found nowhere else in the country. The eight granite columns are arranged in two rows, with four in each row. Presumably used to support a roof, each of them is approximately 8 feet 4 inches (2.54 m) in height. In each of these columns, the crown is carved in the shape of a blossoming lotus bud. The rest of the column is elaborately carved to resemble the stem of the flower.Unlike stone columns commonly seen in the architecture of this period, these are not straight, but are curved in three places. According to archaeologist Senarath Paranavithana, the stone columns at the Nissanka Latha Mandapaya are the best examples of this feature of ancient Sri Lankan architecture. 

At the center of the platform, flanked by the stone columns, appears a small stupa. This is also made from stone, but the top part of it has been destroyed. Its base is decorated with a carved design. The platform is surrounded by a stone railing. The structure is entered through a single stone doorway. In contrast to the elaborately carved stone pillars, these have an undecorated and plain finish. 

Team members at the entrance.
Team members at the entrance
Manique near the Mandapaya
Manique near the Mandapaya
Team Members climbing the Stairs
Team Members climbing the Stairs
At the entrance
At the entrance
Manique near the Mandapaya
Manique near the Mandapaya
Nameboard
Nameboard
Stone Pillars
Stone Pillars
Nameboard
Nameboard
Stone Pillars
Stone Pillars
Climbing the stairs
Climbing the stairs

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon,
385 J3 Old Kotte Road,
Rajagiriya,
Sri Lanka.

ACCESS FOR ALL AT DIMBULAGALA 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. Therefore, this initiative greatly supported to bring a change to create an inclusive approach.

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and  the European Union (EU) took the initiative to implement a project to provide recommendations on Disability Accessibility and Capacity Building of Local Government Authorities in Sri Lanka. This project is part of an initiative supported under the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU).

The team from EFC led by Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse disabilities did an disability accessibility checking to give recommendations at Dimbulagala Pradeshiya Sabha, in Polonnaruwa district,  in North Central Province in January 2022 to give recommendations on how to make the Dimbulagala Pradeshiya Sabha access for all.

CDLG is a four-year project (2020-2023) targeting the Eastern, Northern, North-Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka.

2 Advocacy Group discussions were held at the Dimbulagala Pradeshiya Sabha with persons with disabilities belonging to Dimbulagala 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.

It is part of the European Union’s STRIDE (Strengthening Transformation, Reconciliation, and Inclusive Democratic Engagement) programme focused on strengthening the capacities of local government authorities to be inclusive, responsive, and accountable, and improve service delivery.

 Dimbulagala Pradeshiya Sabha
Dimbulagala Pradeshiya Sabha
Group Photograph
Group Photograph
Manique at the PS
Manique at the PS
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Manique at the PS
Manique at the PS
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon,
385 J3 Old Kotte Road,
Rajagiriya,
Sri Lanka.

ACCESS FOR ALL AT MADIRIGIRIYA PRADESHIYA SABHA

Two Advocacy Group discussions were held at the Madirigiriya Pradeshiya Sabha with persons with disabilities belonging to Madirigiriya 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. 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. Therefore, this initiative greatly supported to bring a change to create an inclusive approach.

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & #Disability Resource Centre in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and  the European Union (EU) took the initiative to implement a project to provide recommendations on Disability #Accessibility and Capacity Building of Local Government Authorities in Sri Lanka. This project is part of an initiative supported under the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU).

The team from EFC led by Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse disabilities did an disability accessibility checking to give recommendations at Madirigiriya Pradeshiya Sabha, in Polonnaruwa district,  in North Central Province in January 2022 to give recommendations on how to make the Madirigiriya Pradeshiya Sabha access for all.

CDLG is a four-year project (2020-2023) targeting the Eastern, Northern, North-Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka.

Medirigiya PS Nameboard
Medirigiya PS Nameboard
Team Members
Team Members
Manique in front of the main gate
Manique in front of the main gate
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Accessibility checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility checking
Accessibility Checking
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Handing over a Braille calendar to a vision impaired person
Handing over a Braille calendar to a vision impaired person
 Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
 Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Manager – Specialised Training and Disability Resource Centre of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon

ACCESS FOR ALL AT ELAHERA 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 Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha, in Polonnaruwa district,  in North Central Province in January 2022 to give recommendations on how to make the Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha access for all. Two Advocacy Group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Elehara 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.

Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha (Nameboard)
Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha (Nameboard)
Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha
Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Team Members
Team Members
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility

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