Sri Lanka, April 19 -- In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court yesterday declared that the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by Article 12 (1) of the Constitution to the persons with disabilities have been violated by the State and its agencies after barring them from accessing public buildings, public places and places where common services are available.

The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice Prasanna Jayawardena, Justice Murdu Fernando and Justice Vijith K. Malalgoda issued a Direction to eight government institutions to take effective measures to ensure the provisions of the Disabled Persons (Accessibility) Regulations No. 1 of 2006, in respect of public buildings, public places and places where common services are ava...