You are the real heroes - President says to disabled servicemen
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday(Dec 3), paid his
heart felt tribute to the country's disabled war heroes saying although
they were physically handicapped, today they have displayed their giant
strength before the world.
"Although you are today disabled I am eternally
grateful to the strength you all gave me as the leader who defeated the
most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world," he told the disabled
war heroes at a function at Temple Trees to mark World Disability Day. A
special stamp too was issued to mark the event. The President said there
were various groups who come to meet him, some ask wage increases and
threaten to go on strike. Others ask for promotions and threaten to
stage a work-to-rule.
There were others who come to him demanding big
positions. If not they say they are going to work for the Opposition at
the next election.
Although such threats were made they were able to get
together and resolve their issues.
"However of all such groups, you are the only ones who
have been able to hold your head high and live with dignity and self
respect. You too have the same rights as they to live with dignity. What
you ask is not sympathy but the right to exist. I like to remind you
that I will always respect and pay heed to this request," President
Rajapaksa said.
He said during the recent past there were those who
sacrificed their eyes in the battle front so that the rest could witness
a country which was in tact.
"There were also those who sacrificed their legs so
that we can today walk freely on our soil. These are the real heroes,"
the President said.
"We have now put in motion a program to look into your
well-being and welfare. That is a duty cast on us. You have the right to
decide if I am capable of accomplishing this task. That decision lies
with you.
The President said one of the yardsticks by which a
society is judged is the way in which that society treats its disabled.
"Going by such a barometer I am certain that our country is up there on
the top. We will endeavour to provide you with a life that would enable
you to live with self-respect," President Rajapaksa said.
He said: "Under the Mahinda Chintana we promised to
provide each family of a disabled, Rs. 3,000. We also provided Rs.
100,000 on a monthly repayment basis and taken steps to grant relief
based on age limits.
There are between 10-12 percent of disabled persons in
the country. But it appears that you all did not receive proper
attention because you were not provided with easy entry facilities to
Government offices.
"We have now ordered all State institutions to design
entrances so as to facilitate entry to disabled persons.
The Urban Development Authority and the Central
Environment Authority have been specifically tasked to ensure that all
public institutions adhere to this requirement."
Instructions too have gone out to build railway
platforms to facilitate the accommodation of disabled persons.
The Northern railway track that is now under
construction will ensure easy access to trains for the disabled, he
said.
Courtesy: Daily News
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