A Mother’s Resolve: Triumphing Over Disability and Bureaucracy in Sri Lanka

In the rural village of Laksha Uyana, within the Tamankaduwa Regional Secretariat Division of Polonnaruwa District, a poignant story emerged. Ravidu, a pseudonym for a young man, became completely disabled due to a sudden illness. When he turned 18, his mother, a retired teacher, attempted to have his name included in the voter registration list, as it is the age to register to vote. However, the Grama Niladri of their village refused, asserting that since Ravidu couldn’t physically vote due to his disability, he shouldn’t be on the list. Despite a change in the Grama Niladri, the stance remained unchanged, leaving Ravidu’s mother distressed.

Ravidu’s mother was deeply concerned not only about the immediate implications of not being able to vote but also about the broader potential impact on her son’s right as a Sri Lankan citizen to be eligible for all the other entitlements. The situation was further exacerbated by Ravidu’s financial vulnerabilities. Although he was entitled to a government allowance, he never received it since his mother, being a pensioner, was deemed financially able and he was still considered a child dependent on the mother. Yet, each month she struggled with medical bills for Ravidu especially in the context of economic crisis. Her overarching fear was the bleak future awaiting her son upon her demise, especially since she believed his exclusion from the voter list might prevent him from inheriting her pension.

In these dire straits, a glimmer of hope arose when Ravidu’s mother encountered Mrs. Nilanthi, a member of the SJC. Equipped with knowledge about the Right to Information Act, Mrs. Nilanthi guided the distressed mother to file an official information request. The application essentially inquired whether the Grama Niladri held the authority to exclude a disabled individual from the voter list and, if so, to produce the circular documenting this authority.

The response revealed that no such circular existed, implying that Ravidu’s exclusion was either an oversight or willful neglect. Armed with this information, Ravidu’s mother approached the Polonnaruwa district election office. After explaining her ordeal, she was advised to liaise with the village Grama Niladri to complete the necessary paperwork. Eventually, with persistence and the right information at her disposal, she ensured Ravidu’s name was rightfully included in the Voters list.

The story underscores the transformative power of information and the crucial role it plays in upholding an individual’s rights. The Right to Information Act became the beacon that illuminated a path for Ravidu’s mother, ensuring her son’s rightful place in society and, by extension, safeguarding his future.

Information Application Details:
Applicant: W.A. Nilanthi, No. 44, Parakumithanna, Kalahagala
Submission Dates: RTI 01 = 19/04/2023; RTI 10 = 15/05/2023 (POL0 796/01)
Relevant Public Authority: Election Office Polonnaruwa——————