Sunday Times 2
A Group of professionals with ‘Restricted Ability’ contest Parliamentary Elections
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Crusader on Wheels - Ajith C. S. Perera, contesting the elections under Independent Group No: 12 from Colombo District
For the first time in history, a group of professionals and intellectuals with restricted ability will contest the August 17 Parliamentary elections.
They will contest as independent candidates for the Colombo and Gampaha Districts.
An estimated 20 percent of our population with “limitations in their ability” form the country’s biggest minority.
But, political parties find none from this 4 million people — that includes academically and professionally qualified intellectuals with honesty, and experience as disability activists — to fill even the 29th place in their national lists.
In this article, well-known Disability Rights Activist Dr. Ajith C. S. Perera explains why he has decided to contest the general elections as an Independent Candidate for the Colombo District Group Number 12.
What made we professionals contest as an independent group?
We had high hopes that the elected politicians from several parties, with whom we have worked closely, would make decisions on several key issues that concerns our quality of life. But this has not happened even after 20 years.
In fact, due to ageing, numerous debilitating illnesses (such as arthritis, joint problems, diabetes, vertigo), accidents, convalescing after surgery and the ended 30 years of conflict, very many people find their mobility, sight, hearing or brain functioning restricted.
These 4 million people with “Limitations in Ability” form the country’s biggest minority!
Yet, inept attitudes and inaction have denied us our rights to live as equal citizens with dignity and deprived us of the equal opportunities that come through social integration in respect of employment, education, recreation, travel and health.
Five factors that triggered our entry to contest
(i). Politicians found no one from this biggest minority — People with Restricted Ability — even academically and professionally qualified intellectuals with honesty and experience as disability activists to fill even the 29th place in their national lists. It is a true reflection of the lack of concern of politicians when anyone becomes dis-abled!
(ii). Political parties have belittled our cries for empowerment and made us reluctant dependants on charity and social welfare.
(iii). Continual failure by politicians to recognise the importance of our social integration and the productive contributions we could still make towards a sustainable national economy and winning the deciding votes.
(iv) When the heroic soldiers retire, life in the civil society brings them new sets of problems which are yet to be recognised and resolved.
(v). Politicians and decision makers have hardly shown the genuine desire to identify the root causes of the key issues that affects the country’s biggest minority.
Six key areas on which we shall focus through identified goals
(i) To remain no part of any political party.
(ii) To have ‘true’ public servants in Parliament who understand our key priorities and make all hear ‘Our Voice’, enabling us to enjoy our rights as equal citizens.
(iii) To implement effective measures to empower innate potential, minimise unwanted dependency and improve quality of life.
(iv) To promote equal opportunities for full participation in all spheres of life through social integration concerning education, employment, recreation and health.
(v) To implement measures to promote “Accessible Tourism for All” as a yet untapped indispensable lucrative profit resource.
(vi) To facilitate with special emphasis to empower, socially integrate and enhance the quality of life in civil society of heroic soldiers on retirement as well as all other victims of the 30 year conflict.
Key players in our team in the election fray
Perhaps my 18 years of pioneering voluntary endeavours seeking redress for dis-abled persons with unreserved commitment have propelled others to make me contest from the Independent Group No:12 of the Colombo District. [For more information please visit: https://goo.gl/s2gUCs ]
With me are: W.M.D.Ratnasekera – a M.A. graduate from Colombo University – the founder and senior president, Sri Lanka National Federation of Visually Handicapped; Brian Prasanna – a higher diploma holder in linguistics from Hong Kong Chinese University; and Hirantha Kanishka – an amputee and a graphic designer.
The former air force officer Prasanna Kuruppu leads the Independent Group No: 15 from Gampaha. Mr. Kuruppu is a victim of conflict and the first ever to survive after the loss of both his limbs below the knees. He is presently an independent researcher and a consultant in dis-Ability and disarmament.
With him are: Anil Jayawardena – the current president of disability organisations’ joint front; and Dr. Nihal Fernando, an amputee and an MBBS qualified medical practitioner from Negombo. Anil and Brian are hearing impaired totally.
The ultimate message
Until our entry to contest, everyone has remained inept about the plight of the people of Sri Lanka when their abilities are taken away. Although they form the country’s biggest minority, all politician and leaders have resembled the dog in the foundry.
We believe it is we and we only — provided your votes send us to the Parliament on August 17 – who will raise there all significant issues concerning your day-to-day life and get effective remedial measures implemented.
From the past twenty years you know well no politician from any party or front or alignment will ever talk about your plight in the parliament.
That is the very reason why every household with foresight should vote for us.