Sri Lanka launches national audit on disability accessibility

A nationwide audit focusing on accessibility and sanitation facilities in government institutions serving persons with disabilities began today (09) at the Sethsiripaya premises in Battaramulla.

The initiative is being carried out under the 2026 Budget, which has allocated Rs. 1,000 million to upgrade accessibility infrastructure in public institutions, including Divisional Secretariats, railway stations, bus stands, courts, and police stations.

The National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities, operating under the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, will lead the islandwide assessment to evaluate and improve accessibility standards across relevant state institutions.

As part of the programme, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has provided both theoretical and practical training to social service officers and persons with disabilities in 17 districts to support effective implementation.

The first phase of the audit commenced at the Sethsiripaya Stage I and Stage II office complex, with trained officers from the Colombo District taking part in the initial evaluation process.