The Sri Lankan Cabinet on Tuesday approved to make sign language a recognised means of communication, the Government Information Department said.

In a statement, the Department said the proposal was tabled by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and it will help accept sign language as a recognised means of communication in accessing educational needs, legal matters, health facilities, various government services and private services, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Cabinet will also advise to draft a relevant bill, the statement added.

A recent study from the Ministry of Health shows that 9 per cent of the total population of Sri Lanka suffered from some sort of hearing disorder.

(IANS)