The National Program for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities scheduled for 3rd of December, was held centered on historic Kandy this year.The theme for this year was “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities”.A trip was organized this time representing all types of disabled people, showing the world that they are also a group that likes to travel, based on the concept of "disability inclusive tourism “ . Accordingly, The travel was started by train from Fort railway station and reached Kandy railway station, enjoying refreshments, singing, having fun and sharing their experiences in the compartments with the facilities for their needs.The Minister of Social Empowerment Hon. Mr. AnupaPaskuval, the Secretary of the Ministry, Chief Staff Officers and other officers as well and foreigners also joined them.The group, greatly welcomed by in Kandy, left for Dalada Maliga by buses from there, where they got the rare opportunity to worship the Karaduwa containing the Sacred Tooth of Lard Buddha with devotion.
At Dalada Maligawa, about a hundred other persons with disabilities gathered with that group from Kandy and the Officers of District Secretariat were kind enough to provide flowers to those devotees.The group also listened to a sermon after worshiping the Sacred Tooth and then enjoyedrefreshment. The lunch also provided there.
After leaving there, they arrived to the Peradeniya Botanical Garden and they were given the chance to show their talents there with singing songs.Wattegama students also entertained the group by dancing. Snacks and refreshments were regularly provided to them, who were happy performing dances and songs, with the patronage of private institutions.The group got a special opportunity to visit the Botanical Gardens by special battery cars and they seemed to enjoy it very much. At the end of this program the buses brought them back to the fort happily, enjoying themselves and singing.It must be said that government institutions as well as many private institutions joined hands to make this program successful.There is no secret that this was a great life experience for the disabled community who participated for this program, and the local and foreign communities who saw the performance of this group also made an optimistic attitude towards them.
