The Government has decided to introduce a special priority card to provide persons with disabilities with priority access to services at government institutions.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, chaired by Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr. Upali Pannilage.
As a pilot initiative, the programme will be implemented through the Kaduwela Divisional Secretariat.
The Council also agreed to issue an official circular on the classification of disabilities to standardise procedures across government institutions.
In addition, it was decided to publish guidelines on appropriate terminology when referring to persons with disabilities, in collaboration with the Department of Official Languages.
The Council further agreed to develop criteria to evaluate individuals providing services to persons with disabilities.
Among those present at the meeting were Ministry Secretary and Secretary to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities Sampath Manthrinayake, Additional Secretary Naleeka Piyasena, Director of Social Services Darshani Karunaratne, along with other ministry officials and council members.