The Accessibility Audit Report of the Ministry of Labour was officially handed over on Monday (04) to the Secretary of the Ministry, S. M. Piyatissa, by the Chair of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, MP Sugath Wasantha De Silva.

The report was developed under the leadership of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, based on an accessibility audit conducted within the “Mehewara Piyesa” building premises of the Department of Labour. This initiative was carried out in partnership with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and funded by the Australian Government.

The technical component of the audit was led by Tikiri Kumara Jayawardena, a member of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NSPD). The report, which includes proposals and recommendations, was produced following an evaluation conducted by a diverse group of 28 participants, including accessibility audit experts, PAVE Sri Lanka youth volunteers, members of the Disability Inclusive Elections in Sri Lanka (DIESL) Working Group, and staff from the Department of Labour. The team assessed two main buildings, the main auditorium, and the Ministry’s canteen.

“I am pleased to see that the Ministry of Labour is taking progressive steps following the Caucus interventions through the ‘Improving Disability-Inclusive Service Delivery’ session held on November 20, 2025. One of our key recommendations was to assess whether physical access in both the new and adjacent buildings was properly designed. We are encouraged that the Ministry and Department acted on this recommendation. Our team, including persons with disabilities, conducted the audit and prepared this report with recommendations in a short period, facilitated by IFES. The next step is implementation. Some improvements can be achieved within this year’s budget, while additional funds may be allocated in the next budget cycle. Furthermore, LKR 1,000 million has been allocated for public accessibility, and additional support may be sought through the Ministry of Social Empowerment and Social Security if needed,” MP Sugath Wasantha De Silva emphasized during the report handover.

The Secretary of the Ministry noted: “This technical report marks an important step toward creating a more inclusive environment. Many older buildings were constructed at a time when social awareness was limited. Today, we must take accessibility seriously within the state sector.” He further added that available departmental funds will be utilized to implement feasible recommendations.

Tikiri Kumara Jayawardena highlighted: “Accessibility means the ability to approach, enter, circulate within a premises, and use services without barriers. Our audit focused on the needs of persons with mobility impairments, including wheelchair users, as well as those with hearing impairments. The team identified 32 issues and proposed 28 recommendations, supported by diagrams and illustrations to guide implementation.”

He further emphasized the importance of prioritization and human sensitivity: “The recommendations have been categorized into immediate, short-term, medium-term, and long-term actions. If implemented within two to three years, this initiative could serve as a model for other state institutions. While the 2006 Gazette was used as a baseline, we also incorporated modern ‘Universal Design’ principles that are widely practiced globally but not yet formally adopted locally.”

Additional recommendations discussed during the session included strengthening awareness among construction consultants and contractors on accessibility standards; providing continuous training for staff on supporting persons with disabilities, including sign language training; and ensuring the application of “reasonable accommodation” principles within labour laws, along with proper guidance for employees at all levels. (Newswire)

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