In a groundbreaking ruling, the Anuradhapura High Court, on 18 September, ordered the Minister of Transport and Highways, the Ministry Secretary, and the General Manager of Railways to ensure that all railway stations between Mahawa and Vavuniya on the Northern Line are fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
High Court Judge Dr. Nalinda Hewawasam delivered the landmark verdict, hailed by legal experts as the first of its kind issued by a High Court in Sri Lanka, setting a significant precedent for disability rights in the country.
The case was filed by N.D. Kamalawathi, Chairperson of the Association of Women with Disabilities. Notably, one of the lawyers representing the petitioner was Isuru Mahesh Panditha, who is himself visually impaired.
The Court found that the respondents had violated the rights of persons with disabilities, as guaranteed under Section 23 of the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, No. 28 of 1996. The Judge ordered the respondents—including the Minister of Transport and Highways, the Ministry Secretary, and the General Manager of Railways—to pay Kamalawathi Rs. 100,000 in compensation.
This ruling comes at a time when Sri Lanka is home to over 1.4 million persons with disabilities, accounting for approximately 7% of the population. Despite the existence of legal protections, including the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and the Disabled Persons (Accessibility) Regulations No. 1 of 2006, many public facilities remain inaccessible, limiting the full participation of disabled individuals in society.
The lawsuit, filed by the Association of Women with Disabilities, alleged that recent renovations of stations along the Mahawa–Vavuniya section—conducted under an Indian credit line—were substandard and failed to incorporate necessary accessibility features.
Judge Hewawasam mandated that the 20 railway stations be modernised in accordance with the regulations of Act No. 1 of 2006. He further stipulated that the Department of Railways must allocate a portion of its annual budget specifically for these upgrades.
The High Court also directed the Attorney General’s Department to collaborate with transport officials to formulate and present a detailed action plan for implementing these modifications. To ensure compliance, the Court will periodically review the progress of renovations until their completion.
The respondents named in the petition included the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake; the ministry secretary; the General Manager of Railways; the Superintendent of Engineering for the Northern Province and Anuradhapura region; and the Attorney General.
(With the inputs from Ceylon Today)