Sign Language to become an accepted formal method of communication
View(s):Last week, the Government decided to legalise Sign Language as an accepted formal means of communication. This follows a proposal made by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to introduce a provision made under the Parliamentary Act to include Sign Language as a recognised means of communication.
Accordingly a bill would be drafted by the legal draftsman to accommodate Sign Language into mainstream communication. The bill would empower the hearing-impaired in their education needs, in legal matters and in using health facilities and services provided by the Government and the private sector. A cabinet approval to accept Sign Language as a recognised language was granted in September 2010. (CC)