Women parliamentarians’ caucus asked to pave the way for ‘Ayati’ centre to receive foreign donations

The Women parliamentarians’ caucus wants to convert Ayati’, the first national centre for children with special needs, into an approved charity institute.

The women MPs under the leadership of Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle discussed the issue recently. They also explored the possibility of appointing a speech and language therapist, or speech pathologist to each educational zone in the country.

The ‘Ayati’ centre was declared open by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 25 January 2020 within the premises of the medical faculty of the University of Kelaniya, in Ragama

The centre, an initiative of public-private collaboration, was set up with a cost of Rs. 550 million for the benefit of children with special needs.

The centre provides opportunities and hope for children with special needs to achieve their maximum potential and be fully integrated into society. The facility provides multidisciplinary care for children.

The construction of the centre was carried out by the Army with the financial assistance of Hemas Holdings, MAS Holdings and the Roshan Wijerama Foundation. Hearing equipment was supplied by Rotaract Club.

The Parliament said that clinical services for children with special needs were provided in addition to language therapy, hearing therapy, physical therapy, family therapy, and occupational therapy, as well as basic examinations for all physical and mental disorders, in the centre.

The clinics are conducted by highly qualified professional experts from the Department of Disability Studies of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kelaniya and the doctors and therapists of the Colombo North Teaching Hospital.

The President of the centre and the Vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Senior Prof. Nilanthi De Silva, pointed out to the MPs the need to recognize the institute as an approved charity. She also said that the Inland Revenue Act has impeded the raising of funds required to run the facility. She explained that recognition of the facility as an approved charity would make it possible for them to secure foreign donations.