The Forum on Disarmament and Development (FDD) welcomes yesterday's Supreme Court rule that the State and its agencies violated the fundamental right to equality guaranteed by the Constitution to persons with disabilities for the breach and failure to comply with the provisions of disabled persons (accessibility) regulations.
The Supreme Court also referred to the UN Disability Convention (CRPD) during the Court deliberation. Unfortunately Sri Lanka is still failing to have local regulations to implement the Convention in the country. The FDD continues it's advocacy on the matter with the Government and further it will mobilize relevant ministries and Government agencies mainly the ministries of Transport & Aviation, Highways, Housing & Cultural Affairs and others, Colombo Municipal Council to make the city of Colombo a model accessible city as its first step towards Sri Lanka becoming an accessible country. 

FDD press release on the Easter Sunday attacks continues to be published in the mainstream media of the country- http://www.dailymirror.lk/news-features/Amend-legislature:-FDD/131-167075

FDD shall keep on advocating for the amendment of archaic legislature, to provide for better law enforcement in the country.

 English Version


Sinhala Version



Tamil Version



Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines (SLCBL) says Sri Lanka is on a pathway to becoming a mine-free nation. This article appeared in today's Dinamina newspaper. 
Read the full article here- Sri Lanka on its pathway to being a mine free nation
The Forum on Disarmament and Development (FDD) continues discussion with the Government on modernizing the public transport sector of Sri Lanka. This evening the FDD had an another round of meetings with officials of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. It has discussed linking the Colombo-Katunayake Railway to the Airport and the importance of having electric hydraulic buses with disable accessibility for the public transport.
Further we discussed the possibility to have CCTV cameras (one near the driver's seat) starting with long-distance buses and well-disciplined drivers and conductors service is expected. We are happy about the decision taken to ban loud music on the buses. No doubt that having comfortable public transport will improve the nation's human security, ease many environmental issues and bring other benefits.


Another reaching out on regional advocacy by the Forum on Disarmament and Development's (FDD). This morning FDD met the High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Sri Lanka Riza Hamidullah and discussed the importance of Bangladesh ratifying the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), Nuclear Ban Treaty (NBT) and acceding to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) this year. Bangladesh is already a signatory to both the ATT and NBT.
The FDD would like to see Bangladesh acceding to the CCM during Sri Lanka's Presidency of the 6th Meeting of the State Parties to the CCM this year. The FDD will continually engage with Bangladesh on this important advocacy work.



Today is the International Day for the Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Sri Lanka Campaign to Ban Landmines (SLCBL) Youth Coordinator Nillasi Liyanage has written an important article on "Women in the Context of Post-war Sri Lanka's Mine Action" which appeared in print and web media today.
Women contribute immensely to post-war Sri Lanka's mine action. This will help Sri Lanka to achieve a mine-free status well before the global mine-clearance deadline of 2025. 


Today's Daily Mirror newspaper carries an article on CITES CoP18. This article has refereed to the FDD publication on "The CITES and Sri Lanka."
Read the full article through this link- Conference of Parties (CoP) CITES confab from May 23 to June 3 at BMICH