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Intervention by Prasanna Kuruppu
20th anniversary informal session
11th Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
30 November 2011
I am Prasanna Kuruppu from Sri Lanka.
I got involved in the campaign to ban landmines in 2003 when I graduated from the Raising the Voices leadership and advocacy training Asia program organized by then Landmine Survivors Network and with the guidance, coaching and mentoring of very dedicated senior campaigners from LSN and ICBL (like Jerry White, Ken Rutherford, Becky Jordan, Dalma Foldes, Kirsten Young, Zahabia Adamaly, Sylvie Brigot, Susan B. Walker and many more...)
I gained unique knowledge and experience in the field of disability and disarmament. I've become a researcher and campaigner in Sri Lanka.
Today, I am the President of an umbrella disability organisation representing all categories of disabilities advocating with a common voice for equality and inclusiveness.
The most reliable recipe for success in tackling humanitarian issues is: government, add civil society, mix together and cook a solid partnership.
That I believe is the only recipe for inclusiveness, equality and progress on the ground, these are still very much needed.
