The District Disability Day celebration, jointly organized by the Department of Social Services and the District Secretariat in conjunction with the International Day of Disabled Persons on the third of December, concluded successfully today (04) at the Kegalle Municipal Council Hall.
Additional District Secretary (Administration) K.G.S. Nishantha welcomed all those present, while the Director of the Department of Social Services, Mrs. Darshani Karunaratne, and the District Secretary/Government Agent, Mr. Ranjana Jayasinghe, joined in extending their greetings on the occasion of the District Disability Day celebration.
At this year's celebration, all those who achieved academic success covering all eleven Divisional Secretariat divisions were recognized. Among them were students who had achieved higher education degrees including medical, engineering, and arts. In addition, eleven successful entrepreneurs who had overcome economic challenges were presented with prizes and certificates, including entrepreneurs in many fields including batik, coconut shells, sweets, bags, and paintings.
Furthermore, prizes and certificates were presented to the winners of the categories of the best local self-help organization at the Divisional Secretariat Division level, the best local self-help member, the person with disabilities who successfully socialized at the household level under the CBR program, the person with disabilities who created the best exhibition-quality creations, the designer who created the best new creations for the disabled (Open), the best employer who contributed to the employment of the disabled, and the best child skill development center operating without the support of the Department of Social Services.
It is also special to appreciate the winners who brought national level achievements to the Kegalle District in 2024 at this year's District Disabled Day celebration. Under this, the second place in the country among the best regional self-help organizations went to Rambukkana Gemunu Shakthi Organization, the third place in the country in the New Creation (Open) competition held for persons with disabilities went to Mr. Sandaruwan Priyawansa, the best district social service officer in the entire country this year for his dedication to duty during his twenty-six years of public service, the first place for the best regional officer at the national level who completed 19 years of service and worked for the upliftment of terminally ill persons went to Social Service Officer Aruna Shanthi, and Social Service Officer Nilmini Karunaratne was also appreciated as the best officer at the national level for providing services through hospital welfare attached to full-time.
The 2024 Kegalle District Disabled Day celebration was enriched with a number of elements including dance, singing, and drama, and the presence of people with disabilities coming together to showcase their talents in all of these elements was a matter of great interest to everyone.
The District Social Service Division, including District Social Officer Sarath Ranaweera, had organized this program.
Additional District Secretary (Lands) Dilip Nishantha, Assistant District Secretary Malsha L. Priya Darshana, staff officers including Rambukkana, Mawanella, and Kegalle Divisional Secretaries, Senior Social Service Officers of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council S.A. Jayantha, Indu Mala Abeysiri Gawaka, Assistant General Manager of Plentyfood, and members of the disabled community were present at the event.
