The Secretary General of Sri Lanka’s Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, has announced plans to introduce a special seating arrangement to accommodate the needs of the country’s first-ever vision-impaired Member of Parliament. She also confirmed that technical adjustments are being made to further support the new MP’s participation.
Sugath Wasantha de Silva, representing the National People’s Power (NPP), was officially appointed as a Member of Parliament via the NPP’s National List, as gazetted on Sunday (17).
Before his political career, de Silva was a well-known activist advocating for the rights of visually impaired and disabled communities. He currently serves as the President of the Visually Impaired Graduates’ Council (VIGC), playing a crucial role in promoting equal opportunities and accessibility for people with disabilities.
De Silva’s life story is one of remarkable perseverance. After losing his sight in childhood due to an accident, he faced immense challenges but successfully earned a degree from the University of Colombo. With over 25 years of experience as a social welfare officer, his impactful work has been widely recognized.
Mrs. Rohanadeera emphasized Parliament’s dedication to inclusivity, stating, “We are working on ensuring that Mr. de Silva’s unique needs are met, including seating arrangements and addressing technical concerns to facilitate his participation.”
