A media awareness program, organized by the Communication and Media Unit, University of Kelaniya, in honour of the Ayati National Centre for Children with Disabilities’ five years of dedicated service, took place under the precedence of Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, on the 28^th of January 2025 at the Ayati Centre, Faculty of Medicine premises, University of Kelaniya.

The program aimed to inform electronic and print journalists about the remarkable contributions of the Ayati Centre, which stands as Sri Lanka’s sole national facility providing specialized care for children with developmental disabilities. The Centre’s multi-disciplinary approach addresses the needs of children with physical and mental disabilities from all corners of the island.

Established on January 25, 2020, the Ayati National Centre for Children with Disabilities serves over 14,000 registered clients. Through evidence-based management plans delivered by highly qualified clinicians, the Centre provides essential services such as speech and language therapy, hearing therapy, physical therapy, family counseling, occupational therapy, and basic screenings—all free of charge.

Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya and Chairperson of Ayati Centre, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the history and the establishment of the Ayati Centre. Moreover, Dr. Dilini Vipulaguna, Consultant Community Pediatrician and Clinical Lead of the Ayati Centre, delivered a presentation on the Ayati Centre. Similarly, Mr. Ajay Amalean, Trustee of Ayati Trust and Director/Co-Founder of MAS Holdings, also addressed the gathering while Mr. Roshan Mahanama, Trustee of Ayati Trust, Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain, ICC Elite Panel Match Referee and Chairperson of the Roshan Mahanama Trust addressed the audience via Zoom from Dubai, being on a visit officiating ICL 2025 series. Two of the parents also addressed the audience at the end of the ceremony, appreciating the services provided by the Ayati Centre.

The media coordination of this awareness program was carried under the supervision of Senior Lecturer Saman Rajapaksha, Director of the Communication and Media Unit, University of Kelaniya.

In addition, the ceremony was also graced by the presence of Professor Madawa Chandratilake, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Saman Yapa Bandara, Deputy Director of the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Dr. Dinushee Atapattu Bakmeewewa, Head of the Department of Disability Studies, Mrs. Shiromi Maskorala, Executive Director of Ayati Trust and Hemas Outreach Foundation, staff members of the Ayati Centre; Academic and Non-academic staff members and the students of the Department of Disability Studies; staff members of the Communication and Media Unit; and electronic and print media journalists.