The Sri Lanka Central Federation of the Deaf requested the government to expedite the drafting of the Sign Language Bill and take measures to implement it before October 2014.

Federation Vice President Sarath Kumara said the proposed Act to give acceptance to the sign language would be of great help to solve educational and employment problems of the deaf while securing equal rights and opportunities for them.

He said the Bill prepared by the Social Services Ministry has been forwarded to the Legal Draftsman's Department.

He observed the need to accelerate the legal and constitutional process to get the Cabinet and Parliament approval for the Bill.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Government Information Department yesterday to announce the arrangements to mark the International Day of the Deaf.

He said the national ceremony to observe the International Day of the Deaf under the theme "Equality for Deaf People" will be held on October 6 at 11am at St Anne's College Auditorium, Kurunegala with the participation of Social Services Minister Felix Perera and Culture and the Arts Minister T B Ekanayake as the Chief Guests. An awareness walk will be held parallel to the ceremony from the Wehera Urban Council Ground to St Anne's College via the Kurunegala town.

He observed the need to increase the number of sign language officers.

The 2nd Volume of the Sign Language Dictionary prepared by the Federation was presented to Social Services Ministry Secretary Elmelda Sukumar by Federation President Sivalee Seneviratne.

Sukumar said the ministry conducts free sign language classes for public servants. She said the ministry has provided a special identity card for the deaf people to get their services quickly.

dailynews