Inclusive employment for persons with disabilities

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), in collaboration with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH) embarked on a trailblazing initiative to explore avenues for gainful employment of persons with disabilities (PWDs). This well-thought-out plan was designed to facilitate a pathway that would create a fruitful relationship between PWDs and potential employers who are passionate about fostering diversity within their organisation’s culture. 

Together the CIPM and GIZ organized the job pavilion – 2025, on November 21, 2025, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. This joint effort was aimed at inviting organisations to participate in a meaningful and rewarding networking session to engage and empower talented PWDs to join the workforce. CIPM and GIZ together have taken a bold and praiseworthy decision to ensure that equal opportunity is not a mere catchphrase, but would be a feature in the culture of organisations among a wide spectrum of industries in the future. 

The recognizing and inclusion of PWDs in society is gaining momentum in our country. Sri Lanka’s first ever vision-impaired Member of Parliament had the rare honor of representing our country at the Commonwealth parliamentarians with disabilities (CpwD) sessions on the sidelines of the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary conference held in Bridgetown, Barbados recently. Transcending the conventional perspective of inclusivity; this opportunity extended to PWDs for purposeful participation as equals in society, is an honour bestowed upon them and opens new vistas to empower and recognise them with dignity.

Don Peter

Dehiwala