2026-11-04
According to the Census of Population and Housing 2024 conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, the total number of persons with disabilities currently living in Sri Lanka is 727,293. Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Dr. Upali Pannilage, made this disclosure while providing a detailed explanation of the measures taken to promote the welfare of persons with disabilities.
These details were revealed in the Minister’s response to questions raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Sugath Wasantha de Silva, seeking oral answers in Parliament.
According to the Minister, a wide range of assistance programmes are being implemented to improve the living conditions and well-being of persons with disabilities.
These include a monthly allowance of Rs. 10,000 for low-income persons with disabilities; the provision of special assistive devices; and financial assistance of up to Rs. 50,000 for the purchase of hearing aids and their accessories.
Housing assistance is also provided to families with a person with a disability who do not own a house, with a maximum grant of Rs. 1 million. In addition, financial assistance of up to Rs. 50,000 is provided for house repairs, while an allowance of Rs. 150,000 is granted to improve sanitation facilities.
Under a separate programme implemented through the Ministry of Housing Construction and Water Supply, financial assistance of Rs. 1 million per person is provided to improve sanitation facilities for persons with disabilities in the Western Province.
Other support measures include financial assistance for purchasing educational equipment, facilitating access to medical services, and providing medical assistance of up to Rs. 100,000 through the intervention of the Presidential Secretariat.
Financial assistance is also extended to persons with disabilities or their caregivers to start self-employment ventures. Sports equipment and musical instruments are provided to special education units and institutions, while institutions serving persons with disabilities are eligible to receive development assistance of up to Rs. 500,000.
Furthermore, free spectacles are distributed through mobile eye clinics, and measures are being taken to improve accessibility to public places for the disability community.
The Government also provides vocational training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Children with disabilities below the age of 16 are directed towards education through early intervention programmes, with additional support provided through skills development and daycare facilities.
In addition, students with disabilities from low-income families receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000. The Ministry of Education also provides a monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000 to students with disabilities pursuing higher education.
2026-11-04
Sri Lanka has recorded an annual average of 2,536 deaths due to road accidents between 2021 and 2025, while an average of 22,483 people sustain injuries each year, Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni stated.The Deputy Minister made these remarks in Parliament in response to questions raised by Hon. Dr. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam, Member of Parliament, seeking oral answers.He further stated that approximately 25,000 people become temporarily or permanently disabled each year as a result of road accidents. The Deputy Minister also noted that, according to international estimates, the economic loss in productivity caused by road accidents in a country is believed to account for between 3% and 5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
2026-11-03
A total of 795 Sri Lankan fishermen aboard 145 fishing vessels have been arrested for entering the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of other countries between 2020 and October 23, 2026, while 753 fishermen aboard 66 boats have since been released, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said in Parliament.The Minister made these remarks in response to a question raised by Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy, seeking an oral answer, on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources.According to the Minister, 49,271 fishing boats were actively engaged in the fishing industry in 2024. These included 4,869 registered multi-day fishing boats, 880 one-day fishing boats (IDAY), 24,823 outboard fibreglass-reinforced plastic boats (OFRP), 2,709 motorised traditional boats (MTRB), 15,037 non-motorised traditional boats (NTRB), and 953 non-motorised beach seine boats (NBSB).He said all 4,869 multi-day fishing boats have been legally licensed to operate in international waters. However, fishing vessels may occasionally enter the EEZs of other countries due to adverse weather conditions, strong winds or mechanical failures. The Minister also noted that there have been instances where some boat operators deliberately entered the territorial waters of other countries to harvest fishery resources.The number of Sri Lankan fishermen arrested overseas has been declining significantly, the Minister said. So far in 2026, 40 fishermen aboard seven fishing boats s have been arrested in foreign waters.Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in the respective countries directly handle matters concerning fishermen and fishing vessels arrested overseas, including the necessary legal and diplomatic interventions, he said.The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources provides the necessary technical reports concerning vessels involved in accidents or other incidents. In certain cases, the Department also provides air tickets required to facilitate the return of the fishermen to Sri Lanka, the Minister added.
2026-11-03
A total of 6,658 tuberculosis (TB) cases were reported within the Colombo Municipal Council area between 2019 and 2025, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament. He identified weakened immunity, overcrowded and poor living conditions, malnutrition, lifestyle-related factors and close contact with infected persons as among the main risk factors contributing to the spread of tuberculosis.The Minister made these remarks in response to questions raised by Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman, seeking oral answers in Parliament.He explained that following infection with the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the infection can remain dormant and may later develop into active tuberculosis when the body's immune system becomes weakened.The Minister further explained that pulmonary TB can spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or laughs, releasing airborne droplets containing the bacteria. He pointed out that healthy individuals can become infected by inhaling these droplets, allowing the bacteria to enter the respiratory system.He said measures are being implemented to prevent the spread of tuberculosis within the Colombo Municipal Council area, including providing free medication to all TB patients and ensuring that treatment is administered under direct observation. Free screening clinics are also being conducted using mobile X-ray units targeting high-risk urban areas. In addition, family members and close contacts of identified TB patients are screened, while preventive treatment is provided where necessary.The Minister said awareness programmes are also being conducted for urban communities and schoolchildren, along with capacity-building programmes for health educators. Community awareness programmes are further conducted annually in conjunction with World TB Day. He added that integrated programmes are being implemented to identify high-risk groups and refer them for treatment, as well as to assess the risk of tuberculosis among persons with disabilities and elderly people.
2026-11-03
Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that 236 Sri Lankan criminals against whom Red Notices have been issued are currently hiding in foreign countries, while 97 of them are organised criminals and drug traffickers.The Minister disclosed this in response to questions raised by Member of Parliament Dr. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardena, seeking oral answers.According to the Minister, the individuals against whom Red Notices have been issued are wanted in connection with various serious and complex crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, accumulation of illicit assets, conspiracy to commit crimes, and aiding and abetting criminal activities. He further stated that 32 of these criminals are wanted in connection with murders, while the others are suspects involved in drug trafficking or other serious and complex criminal activities.The Minister further stated that more than one Red Notice is not issued against the same criminal. As the biographical details of suspects are circulated through international police notifications and made available within international police information systems, such information is kept confidential until the suspect is arrested.He added that steps are being taken to bring back criminals hiding in foreign countries and initiate legal proceedings against them in Sri Lanka, in accordance with the provisions of the Extradition Law No. 8 of 1977 or the provisions of agreements entered into with the respective countries.
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