Welcome to Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan RupeeCurrency in Sri Lanka
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Basic Country Profile
Location: South Asia
Capital: Colombo
Population: 20,359,439 (Census 2012) (Provisional data sheet for 2017 – www.statistics.gov.lk)
Major Languages: Sinhalese, Tamil, English
Major Religions: Theravada Buddhism
Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee
Terrain: Low flat lying plains, mountains in the southern interior
Climate: Tropical
Dial Code: +94
Time Zone: UTC+05:30
Disability Population: 8.7% (Census 2012)
Emergency National Numbers
Police – 118, 119
Ambulance -110
Fire department – +94 (11) 242 2222
Disability Legislations and Policies
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) – Ratified on February 08, 2016. It has also ratified the Optional Protocol to the CRPD. Sri Lanka’s State Party reports submitted to the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR).
Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 1978–Sri Lanka’s Constitution lays down a few provisions related to disability. Chapter III talks about equal recognition and protection of all persons and specifically mentions people with disabilities.
Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act No. 28 of 1996 –The legislation specifically addresses issues related to physical accessibility of public spaces, recruitment and education.
Disability Rights Bill 2006 –A draft bill has been prepared by a committee appointed by the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare. The rights-based bill includes rights for non-discrimination, employment, health, education, sports, accessibility, social security etc
Travel Related Information
Traveling around in Sri Lanka as a person with disability can be very challenging. The most common form of public transport is bus which can be difficult for a person with disability to navigate through. While trains are more accessible than buses, the best option for a traveller with disability would be a private vehicle.
Accessible rooms can be found in some of the high end hotels. However, cheaper hotels or guest houses may have rooms available on lower floors without stairs.
There are a number of private tour operators which provide accessible tour packages.
Useful Links
Brief analysis of characteristics of disabled persons : Census 2012
www.statistics.gov.lk
Sri Lanka Disability Fact Sheet, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and produced by CBM Australia
www.acfid.asn.au
Tips on traveling to Sri Lanka on a wheelchair, Disability Horizons –
www.disabilityhorizons.com