What we do

Disability is a truly burning issue!

It is guesstimated that ONE IN FIVE children in Sri Lanka are affected by some form of disability. However, children with disabilities possess strengths and talents that enable them to integrate into society while making a positive contribution to the environment they live in. It is with this understanding that Ayati Trust Sri Lanka was setup in 2016.

Ayati aims to substantially improve their quality of life and independence while offering them the opportunity to blossom into their utmost potential.

Situation Analysis

20% Sri Lankan children affected by disabilities.

2-5% prevalence of cerebral palsy in developed countries.

1 in 93 Sri Lankan children have been diagnosed as autistic.

Ayati Centre Current Status

Ayati, Sri Lanka’s first “National Centre for Children with Disabilities’’, has been in operation since January 2020 at the new purpose built facility.

The Ayati Center is located at Ragama, in the premises of the Faculty of Medicine University of Kelaniya. It serves all Sri Lankan children free of charge.

As at Dec 2021 over 7000 children are registered with Ayati and approx. 175-200 children from across the country visit the centre on daily basis for support with many new files being added every day

The Ayati Center mprovides multi-disciplinary clinical operations, extending services to all types of disability (physical & mental) with initial screening by medical professional and interventions that include speech & language therapy, audiology, physiotherapy, family, occupational therapy etc.

The centre consists of a state-of-the-art audiology unit, Sri Lanka’s first sensory room, a multi-disciplinary training centre, and research and development facilities, in addition to other clinical support services. Approx. 200 undergraduates currently use the facilities for their clinical training programs.

The clinics are conducted by highly qualified professionals attached to the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Kelaniya. The centre also conducts training programs for community paediatricians, parents, caregivers, teachers etc. whilst providing tele-health services to families struggling with COVID-19 related travel restrictions.

The professional services are provided by the Faculty of Medicine – Kelaniya and the Ministry of Health whilst the operations of the centre including administration and maintenance is funded by the Ayati Trust Sri Lanka.

Number of Clinics conducted at Ayati

2021
CLINIC REGISTRATION
Month Live Sessions Telehealth Sessions Total Clinics New Reg Cumulative New Registration
from Sep 2019 to Oct 2021
2752
August 295 745 1040 66 2818
September 404 870 1274 77 2895
October 699 528 1227 121 3016
November 1500 131 1631 185 3201
December 1561 134 1695 181 3382
2022
CLINIC REGISTRATION
Month Live Sessions Telehealth Sessions Total Clinics New Reg Cumulative New Registration
from Sep 2019 to Oct 2022
January 1637 73 1710 178 3560
February 1694 60 1754 176 3736
March 1799 96 1895 186 3922
April 1359 39 1398 151 4073
May 1132 104 1236 136 4209
June 1779 49 1828 174 4383
July 1252 200 1452 123 4506
August 2067 128 2195 213 4719
September 2184 67 2251 203 4922
October 2243 26 2269 210 5132
November 2344 27 2371 196 5328
December 1786 11 1797 190 5518
2023
CLINIC REGISTRATION
Month Live Sessions Telehealth Sessions Total Clinics New Reg Cumulative New Registration
from Sep 2019 to Oct 2023
January 2089 5 2094 211 5729
February 1983 8 1991 205 5934
March 2129 3 2132 238 6172
April 1728 3 1731 175 6347
May 2213 10 2223 206 6553
June 2623 15 2638 247 6800
July 2596 7 2603 216 7016
August 2574 10 2584 234 7250
September 2205 11 2216 195 7445
October 2369 13 2382 208 7653
November 2019 10 2029 200 7853
December 1642 9 1651 138 7991
2024
CLINIC REGISTRATION
Month Live Sessions Telehealth Sessions Total Clinics New Reg Cumulative New Registration
from Sep 2019 to Oct 2024
January 1715 5 1720 167 8158
Number of Children supported at Ayati
2022 June 1077
July 813
August 1383
September 1535
October 1367
November 1351
December 1144
2023 January 1305
February 1270
March 1372
April 1142
May 1390
June 1656
July 1670
August 1655
September 1505
October 1635
November 1492
December 1381
2024 January 1508
February 1337

Trustees

Ayati Trust Sri Lanka is a charitable trust incorporated with the University of Kelaniya, Hemas Holdings and MAS Holdings.

The Trustees and Partners

University of Kelaniya

Prof. Nilanthi De Silva

Vice-Chancellor Kelaniya University, Chairperson of Ayati

Prof. S S Williams

Professor of Medicine

Prof. Janaki Hewavisenthi

Dean, Faculty of Medicine

Project Partners / Trustees

Mr. Abbas Esufally

Deputy Chairperson

Mr. Ajay Amalean

Mr. Roshan Wijerama Alt.Renuka Senadheera

Other Trustees

Mr. Steven Enderby

Mr. Roshan Mahanama

Mr. Maithri Wickremesinghe P.C.

Mrs. Indrani Sugathadasa

Mrs. Sue Evans

Dr Anura Ekanayake

Advisory Board

Ministry of Health

Ministry of Education

Ministry of Social Empowerment and Welfare

Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Independent Professionals