The Forum on Disarmament and Development (FDD) met Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in Parliament recently and handed over an appeal requesting that Parliament premises be declared a ‘green environment’ and be made accessible to the disabled community.
The FDD appeal asks for the banning of the use of plastic and polythene and declaring of Parliament premises as a plastic and polythene-free zone; making Parliament premises accessible to the disabled community; having a hydraulic bus for Parliament; employment opportunities for the disabled in Parliament; and renewing the discussion on Parliament’s switch to a solar-generated power system.
The FDD pointed out the importance of Parliament setting an example in support of the rights of the disabled and in concern for the environment.
The Speaker promised FDD members of his willingness to take the necessary action requested in the appeal.
During the visit, the FDD also underlined the importance of amending the Firearms Act, re-establishing the National Commission Against Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms, collecting and destroying illicit firearms, acceding to the Arms Trade Treaty, re-engaging with the UN Programme of Action on Illicit and Small Arms, ratifying and acceding to the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), Nuclear Ban Treaty (NBT), modernising the public transport sector, making the city of Colombo accessible to the disabled, finding a lasting solution for the problem of stray dogs and setting up modern recycling plants.
Coordinator Vidya Abhayagunawardena, M.A.M. Hakeem, Prasanna Kuruppu, Daminda Hettiarachchi, Inoka Priyadharshini and Gayathri Karanangoda represented the FDD.
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