The delegation of Sri Lanka led by Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment successfully presented its 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 opening remarks, Minister Pannilage stated that as a State Party to all nine core human rights Conventions, Sri Lanka has demonstrated a steadfast unwavering commitment to protecting and promoting human rights through decades of consistent, transparent, and meaningful engagement with the United Nations human rights mechanisms.
Minister Pannilage further stated that with the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, under the Government’s vision, “Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” 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. The Minister also added that the election of Sugath Wasantha de Silva, made history as the first person with a disability to be a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, who is currently serving as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities.
Minister Pannilage, in his remarks, also highlighted that several national focal ministries, including those responsible for health, education, labour and employment, transport and other related areas contribute to advancing the inclusion, protection, and well-being of the persons with disabilities through sector-specific policies, programmes, and services.
The Committee was briefed on the significant increase of disability inclusive budgetary allocations from approximately Rs. 48 billion in 2022 to nearly Rs. 81 billion in 2026. The Committee was also updated on the new legal and policy reforms including a new Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), proposed Sign Language legislation, establishment of an Independent Commission on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in line with the CRPD etc.
The Committee commended Sri Lanka’s constructive engagement and welcomed Sri Lanka’s legislative and policy frameworks and institutions advancing disability rights.
Sri Lanka ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2016 and has since remained steadfast in its commitment to aligning its national legislation, policies, programmes, and institutional mechanisms with the obligations arising under the Convention.
The delegation comprised Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment, Sampath Manthrinayake, Deputy Solicitor General Kanishka de Silva Balapatabendi, Director of the United Nations and Human Rights Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism, Thilini Jayasekara, officials of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva, alongside the representatives from key line ministries and agencies joined online from Colombo.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva
16 August 2026