Sri Lanka Reaffirms Commitment to Promote and Protect the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations Review in Geneva

The delegation of Sri Lanka, led by Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and  Community Empowerment, Dr. Upali Pannilage, successfully presented Sri Lanka’s initial  national report under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with  Disabilities (CRPD) during the 35th Session of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons  with Disabilities on 14 August 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Delivering the opening remarks, Minister Pannilage stated that, as a State Party to all nine  core human rights conventions, Sri Lanka has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to  protecting and promoting human rights through consistent, transparent, and meaningful  engagement with United Nations human rights mechanisms. 

Minister Pannilage further stated that, under the leadership of President Anura Kumara  Disanayaka and the Government’s vision, “Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life”, the  commitment to an “Unimpaired Social Life – A Fair and Equitable Approach” has been  assured to empower persons with disabilities to live with dignity, equality, independence, and  full participation in society. He also highlighted the election of Sugath Wasantha de Silva, the  first person with a disability to be elected to the Parliament of Sri Lanka, who is currently  serving as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities. 

Minister Pannilage also highlighted that several national focal ministries, including those  responsible for health, education, labour and employment, and transport, contribute to  advancing the inclusion, protection, and well-being of persons with disabilities through sector specific policies, programmes, and services. 

The Committee was briefed on the significant increase in disability-inclusive budgetary  allocations, from approximately Rs. 48 billion in 2022 to nearly Rs. 81 billion in 2026. The  Committee was also updated on new legal and policy reforms, including a new Protection of  the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill aligned with the CRPD, proposed legislation on  Sign Language, and the establishment of an Independent Commission on the Rights of  Persons with Disabilities. 

The Committee commended Sri Lanka’s constructive engagement and welcomed its  legislative and policy frameworks and institutional measures to advance the rights of persons  with disabilities. 

Sri Lanka ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2016 and has  since remained committed to aligning its national legislation, policies, programmes, and  institutional mechanisms with its obligations under the Convention.

The delegation comprised Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, Permanent Representative of  Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva; Sampath Manthrinayake, Secretary to the  Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment; Kanishka  de Silva Balapatabendi, Deputy Solicitor General; Thilini Jayasekara, Director of the United  Nations and Human Rights Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment  & Tourism; officials of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva; and representatives  of key line ministries and agencies who joined online from Colombo.