Call to focus more attention on differently abled children

by Ananda Kannangara

The country has a large number of differently abled children with a lot of potential and it is pity that the authorities have not focussed much attention on their endeavour of seeking employment, Managing Director, Eagle Insurance, Deepal Sooriyaarachchi said.

He was speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the National Council for the Deaf (NCFD), held in Colombo on Friday. NCFD Director Maud Senaratne presided.

Quoting several local and foreign researchers, Sooriyaarachchi said that differently abled children could perform better in many employment categories than normal children.

He said in Sri Lanka many differently abled children have acquired a better knowledge in the field of computer and language.

"Therefore, considering their abilities, the authorities must not ignore them in job recruitment," he said.

He also said that due to various shortcomings in the country's education system, even graduates today fail to find suitable employment, especially in the private sector where a large number of vacancies exists.

The NCFD Director said their organisation from its inception in 1970 engaged in many social activities for the welfare of hearing impaired children in the country.

She said that free tests are done for those engaged in the three Armed Forces and Police.