Dr. Ajith C. C. Perera, Chief Executive/Secretary General of the ‘Idiriya’ Movement, in a public interest litigation, petitioned the Supreme Court that steps should be taken by the State to ensure that all disabled persons have easy and dignified access to all government and private sector institutions.

The Court yesterday granted leave to proceed.

The petition said there should be provisions for punitive sanction to be imposed on persons and institutions that constructed buildings which denied easy access to the disabled. ‘The disabled persons accessibility regulations No. 1 of 2006,’ should be complied with in constructing buildings. Among the disabled listed in the petition are the disabled war heroes, persons disabled by highway and other accidents, the aged and the person born with disabilities.

Respondents cited are the Minister of Social Services, Social Welfare and the entire Cabinet of Minister.

Interim relief is to be considered at a later hearing.

Sanjeewa Jayawardene appeared with Sandamali Chandrasekera, instructed by Sudath Perera Associates for the petitioner who is a chartered chemist.

The Bench comprised, the Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, Justice P. A. Ratnayake and Justice S. I. Imam.