2018 Activities Report

This report gives the activities conducted by the Association during the period from January to December 2018. We are glad to present this report in three languages, Sinhala, Tamil and English printed in one document with Sinhala and Tamil versions back to back.

2018 Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting for 2018 was held on Saturday the 21^st April at Connie Welikala Hall. With the appointment of eight new office bearers and seven committee members to the Executive Committee, the Association forged its way forward and embarked on new activities with renewed vigour. A full report of the meeting is given elsewhere in this report.

Meetings of the Executive Committee

Eleven (11) regular meetings of the Executive Committee were held during the year under review. Although Vice President Mrs. Agita Weerpass is excused for non attendance of monthly meetings, she visits one day every week for monitoring and supervision. The attendance of members at the meetings of the Executive Committee is shown in Table below.

Name	Present	Absent
Mr.Nihal  Nanayakkara	10	1
Mrs.Nandhini Wijayaratnam	10	1
Dr.Janaka Ratnasiri	11	–
Mrs.Agita Weerpass	Excuse	Excuse
Dr.T.H.Wasantha Chithrangani	8	3
Mrs.Indrani Mendis	7	4
Ms.U.T.Vidanagamage	10	1
Ms.Pushpa Ramanayake	7	4
Mrs.Shakunthala Chandrasekharan	9	2
Mr.Sarath Gamini Liyanage	10	1
Mr.Shavantha Silva	4	7
Mr.J.R.Weerasekera	5	6
Mrs. Anoja Damayanthi	8	3
Mr.SuranjithJayalath	10	1
Mrs.U.G.Lasantha Sriyakanthi	10	1

 Membership of the Association

Three (03) new life members were admitted during the year while three others have left us, making a total number of 237 life members at the end of the year. The total number of affiliated institutions stood at 59.

Finances

The audited statement of accounts for the year 2018 is included in this report. A summary of the income and expenditure is shown in the Table below. The Association wishes to thank all individual donors, donor organizations, well-wishers and parents who have contributed generously to the Association both in cash and kind.

Income			Expenditure
Item	Rs.		Item	Rs.
Interest on Fixed Deposits	3,736,165		Sahan Eliya Expences	695,814
D.S. Jayasundara Trust	1,676,385		Office staff allowances	618,000
Deutsche Bank	805,937		Teaching staff allowances	965,000
Social Service Dept. donation	292,677		Residency staff allowances	218,500
Sri Lanka Cricket Board	242,000		Administration & Maintenance	435,388
Jumble Sale	87,040		Annual Activities	457,958
Mr. Zaman Jesani	29,216		Operations	245,613
Mr. M.H. Omar	25,000		Awareness  Programmes	171,164
Sigiriya Village hotels	25,000		Utilities	159,176
Mr. Dinesh Rajawasan	25,000		Training  courses	139,734
Mr. M.K. Ravindranarth	22,000		Publication& printing	122,052
Mr. Kapila Udawatta	15,000		Sithum Pethum project	61,625
Others-(under 10,000/= donation)	117,730		Senasuma expenses	43,200
Total	7,099,150		Total	4,333,224

 Independence Day Celebrations

The Independence Day was celebrated at Sumaga on the 2^nd February morning when all the students and teaching staff gathered in Connie Welikala Hall by singing the National Anthem after hoisting the National Flag. The students presented a very beautiful dance performance to the melody of the National Anthem. Mr. Anton, Dance Instructor at Sumaga made a short speech giving the background to the Independence Day Celebration.

Annual Excursion  

Students of Sumaga Institute and their parents along with Sumaga Staff made their annual excursion to Nuwara Eliya on the 14^th and 15^th of February. They visited the Ambewela Farm and Seetha-Rama Kovila on the first day. At the lodgings, they joined a group in a sing-song till dinner time. On the second day, they visited the Haggala Gardens, Lake Gregory and the city garden. After lunch, they returned and, on the way, visited a tea factory and Kotmale Hydro Power Plant. We convey our appreciation to the lodgings owner and manager of the Tea Factory for their support.

Volunteer services by Denis & Mandy

Denis & Mandy engaged in voluntary work at Sumaga for the last 5 years , during the months of January and March each year.  They engaged the children in various activities to keep them happy. This year they assisted the children in operating the paper plate making machine and produced a large number of paper plates. We are fortune to be able to get the servicers of such a couple. We wish them success in their future endevours.

First One day Awareness Workshop at Tanamalvila

The AIDSL held a one-day workshop on 28^th March at Tanamalvila District Secretariat Office for the benefit of parents, teachers and carers of ID persons.  Mrs. R C H Priyanthi, Director of Social Services Department of Uva Provincial Council graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The workshop was attended by 102 persons working with ID persons as parents or teachers or carers. Several lectures on topics including “Identifying disorders and supportive psychiatry therapy”, “Importance of Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy for development of ID children”, “Identifying intellectual disability and importance of early Intervention”, “Providing vocational training and assistance for securing self-employment for ID persons” and “Government assistance to rehabilitate ID persons” were delivered by competent resource persons.

 

Our Association acknowledges with appreciation the assistance made by Mahaweli Cultural Centre for making available their hall for the function and assistance made by Mr. U L S N Perera, Director of Sith Sevena Institute for Child Development of Tanamalvila and their staff in making the activity a success. The Association was represented by Mrs. Nandhini Wijayaratnam, Secretary of AIDSL, Mrs. Vijai Kottegoda, Administrative Officer and Ms. Uda Thamari Vidanagamage, Assistant Secretary.

 

 

Jumble Sale

 

This annual event organized as a fund raining project for the welfare of ID persons was held on the 2^nd April 2018. Sumithrayo provided the Association with unsold goods available with them for sale at this event, which generated a net income of Rs. 51,900.00. The sale was held on the compound of adjoining NDB Bank for which we express our appreciation.

 

Award of Certificates for 2017 Training (1-11)

 

The trainees who completed the Training Course on Intellectual Disabilities conducted in 2017 were awarded the certificates at a ceremony held on 04^th April, 2018.

 

Training  Course 2018 –(1-11)

 

The First Training Course for 2018 commenced on 05.05.2018 and completed on 22.07.2018. The final examination was held on 05.08.2018.  A group of 28 participants including teachers and parents of affiliated institutions attended.

The 2018 -II Training Course commenced on 08^th September and completed on 01^st December. A group of 32 participants attended the course.

The AIDSL Secretary Mrs. Nandhini Wijayaratnam and Administrative Secretary Mrs. Vijai Kottegoda provided their time and effort voluntarily for conducting these courses, thus saving much money for the Association.

 

Celebration of Sinhala and Hindu New Year

 

Sumaga students, staff and parents participated in the Sinhala and Hindu New Year Celebrations which was held on the 06^th April at Sumaga. Students took part in several traditional games including Feeding Yoghurt, Marking elephant’s eye, Passing the hat, Musical chairs and running with lime on spoon. The winners of games were awarded prizes. The event terminated with all participants partaking in traditional refreshments.

 

Launching of building a home on new land at Gonapola, Horana

 

Representatives from Chetana Organization in France who was running a home for ID persons at Gonapola in Horana DS Division handed over the title deed of the premises to the AIDSL  President at the AGM held on the 21^st April, with the understanding that AIDSL will continue running the home in the future. The Association expresses its deep appreciation to Ms. Indrani Mendis  for transferring Mrs. Indrani mendis Vice President AIDSL has been managing the home with funding received from Chetana of this premises including nearly 3/4 Acre of land a 4-room house to AIDSL. After taking over the land, a foundation stone was laid on 23^rd April to build a residential home for ID persons in the presence of the representatives from French.

 

 

 

New Year Celebration at SERD, Kelaniya

 

Sumaga students and the staff took part in the New Year Celebrations organized by SERD Institute on the 28^th April. Sumaga student Naveen Kavinda won the second place in 100 m event and Sinhajith won the first place in the musical chairs contest.

Observing Sil for Poson

This programme was conducted during the whole day on the 28^th May with the participation of the students of Sumaga. They observed sil at 07.30 am at the temple, followed by two priests chanting pirith offering blessings to students. Both morning and noon meals to students were provided by Ms. Harshini Gallage in memory of her daughter Sandani.  She also provides meals to Sumaga students one day every month in memory of her daughter.

 

Second One Day Awareness Workshop at Passara

The AIDSL held a second one-day workshop on 30^th May at Passara District Secretariat Office Auditorium for the benefit of parents, teachers and carers of ID persons.  Secretary of Passara DS Division graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The workshop was attended by 88 persons working with ID persons as parents or teachers or carers. Several lectures on topics including “Identifying intellectual disability at an early age, Providing supportive psychiatry therapy”, “Importance of Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy for development of ID children”, “Integrating ID persons into the society through socio-cultural activities”, “Providing vocational training and assistance for securing self-employment for ID persons” and “Government assistance to rehabilitate ID persons” were delivered by competent resource persons. Our Association acknowledges with appreciation the assistance made by Mr. W L R N Liyanage, Social Development Office, Passara and the entire staff of Passara DS Offic in making the activity a success. The Association was represented by Mr. Nihal Nanayakkara, President of AIDSL, Mrs. Nandhini Wijayaratnam, Secretary of AIDSL and Mrs. Vijai Kottegoda, Administrative Officer.

Poson Bakthi Gee Programme

This annual programme was conducted on the 22^nd June with the participation of the inmates of ID Homes at Sumaga, Madiwela, Prithipura, Moratuwa Balika, Sithum Pethum Sevana, Exceptional Children Development Foundation and SERD. Main sponsor was the Director of York hotel management.  Owners of Little Star and Toby’s Estate contributed as well. We are grateful to NDB bank for allowing their premises to be used for this purpose. We are also thankful to our President for giving gifts for every Institute who participated in the event.

Ice Cream Dansala

In remembrance of the Former President Mrs. Ramya Salwathura, her family members and relatives donated funds to purchase 500 Ice cream cones and 20 liters of Ice cream for distribution at the end of the Bhakthi Gee Programme.

Annual Art Competition

The annual art competition for 2018 was held on the 16^th of July at Sumaga. Competitors from 21 affiliated organizations produced their artistic creations within one and half hours in the presence of a panel of judges.

The following prizes were awarded;

Place	Name of student	Institution	Prize Rs.
First	Charith Sandaruwan	Madiwela Home, Nugegoda	5000.00
Second	Wasana Mereeta Ranasinghe	Supem Uyana, Gonapinuwela	3000.00
Third	Harsha Nadumkumara	Menhandy, Kalubowila	2000.00

 

Kalapathi Lakmini Amararatne selected 10 entries out of the 21 drawn by students describing their merits and made the final evaluation. Our Association expresses its deep appreciation for her contribution. Eighteen contestants placed below the 4^th position were given a consolation prize of Rs. 1000.00 each. Seven institutions who represented these students were also given prizes. Financial sponsorship for the event was provided by Mr. Zaman Jesani. Prizes for all contestants were provided by Mrs. Indrani Mendis and Nara Institute. The Association President gifted tea sets to each of the institutions who sent contestants to the competition. The objective of this annual event is to provide an opportunity for ID persons to identify and enhance their artistic talent enabling them to live a dignified life in the society.

Soft Ball Cricket Tournament

This event was held for the 9^th time on the 8^th August with the participation of 7 affiliated institutes at S. de S. Jayasinghe grounds, Dehiwala. About 140 students from the following affiliated institutes took part. Sumaga Institute, Mt. Lavinia; Madiwela Home, Nugegoda; Meth Mihira Home, Moratuwa; Lotus Hill Home, Baddegama; Smile Institute, Galle; Exceptional Children Development Foundation, Colombo and Ash-Shifae Home, Wellampitiya.

Manager of Anim 8, Mr. Dinesh Rajawasam and the other special invitees graced the inauguration of the tournament. They were taken in procession to the grounds led by the Eastern Band of Sumaga Institution. We thank the panel of judges from Shashthrananda Vidyalaya for their invaluable services.

Prizes were awarded to the best batsman, best baller and the best fielder of the tournament. The main sponsor was Sri Lankan Cricket Board who made a generous contribution for the event which is greatly appreciated. Our Association Patron, Mrs. Mahesh Ganeshan and Mr. Dinesh Rajawasam of Anim8 gave away the trophies for the first and second places.

The ID Persons Champion trophy for was awarded to Meth Mihira Home and the Runners-up trophy was awarded to Madiwela Home. The Slow Learners’ Challenge Trophy was awarded to Ash-Shifae Home and the Runners Up Trophy was awarded to Smile Institute.

The regular sponsorship for this event by Anim8 Director Mr. Dinesh Rajawasam, Mr. M.H. Omar, and Mr. Chandra Senanayake , Mr. Huzaipha Thahirally is greatly appreciated and we convey our sincere thanks to them.

Celebration of World Children’s Day

The World Children’s Day which fell on November 20^th was celebrated successfully on October 02^nd at Sithum Pethum Sevana, Gonapola with the participation of about 150 children from four affiliated institutes, Sumaga, Sithum Pethum Sevana, Moratuwa Balika and Madiwela Home, along with their staff.

Several activities including games, contests and dance items were presented by the participants who fully enjoyed the day’s activities which provided entertainment to them. The winners of contests were awarded prizes. The participants were hosted for lunch and refreshments with the kind courtesy of Mrs. Indrani Mendis, Vice President of AIDSL and her friend Mrs. Winifreda de Silva in memory of her son, Mr. Harsha de Silva who met the entire expenses for the event. We greatly appreciate their contribution.

Participation at 3-month death commemoration of former Sumaga student Sankha Salwatura

Mrs. Damayanthi Meemeduma along with relatives of Sankha Salwatura, former student of Sumaga Institute organized an alms giving for 6 priests at Sumaga Institute on the 16^th October to commemorate the 3-months since his demise with the participation of Sumaga students, their parents and staff to offer merits to Sankha. May the merits earned be shared by those who dedicated their life to the upliftment of Sumaga Institute and to its past students who are no more.

 

Sahan Eliya XII 

The Sahan Eliya was organized by CAMR for the 12^th time on 24^th November at the Fine Arts Auditorium, Western Province. It was a Song and Dance recital held annually to commemorate the International Day of the Disabled Persons. Over 350 intellectually disabled persons with special abilities from 23 affiliated institutes participated. It was highly appreciated by the audience and was a heart-warming experience for all. The Chief Guest at the event was Ms. Ruwanthi Fernando, Chief Operations Officer of Deutsche Bank A.G. Sri Lanka, representing Mr. Rohan Roderigo, the Chief Country Officer of Deutsche Bank A.G. Sri Lanka, who generously sponsored the entire event.

 

The following prizes were awarded for the best performances, judged by a distinguished panel of judges.

Place	Theme	Winning Institute	Prize Rs.
First	Amuthu Puthek Dance Item	Sumaga Institute	50,000.00
Second	Village Beauty (Gemi Asiriya)	Sirisangambo, Pasyala	30,000.00
Third	Prashasthi	Meth Mihira Home	20,000.00

 

 

All participating institutes were awarded Rs.10,000/= each and a present was gifted to each and every person who participated. The cost of the event which amounted to Rs. 805,937.30 was met entirely by Deutsche Bank A.G. Sri Lanka, for which we express our deep appreciation.

Participation in THARANA Cultural show

 

Sumaga participated in the Tharana Cultural Show organized by the Social Services Department of the Western Provincial Council celebrating the International Disabled Day and held on 26^th November 2018. A video showing the activities of Sumaga was presented at the inauguration of the programme. We express our deep appreciation to Ms. Padmini Thalapalage of the Ratmalana District Secretariat for the opportunity provided to our Association as a key voluntary organization to participate in this programme.

 

Participation in the Concert organized by Ratmalana Divisional Secretariat   

 

On the invitation of Ratmalana District Secretariat, Sumaga students presented a dance item at the concert held under the chairmanship of Mr. Priyantha of the Ratmalana DS Office to celebrate the International Disabled Day on the 27^th November 2018 at the Auditorium of Kamkaru Sevana. The programme was sponsored jointly by the Lions Club, Saviya Foundation and several other organizations.

 

Christmas celebration

 

Students of Sumaga and Sithum Pethum Sevana along with their parents and staff of Sumaga participated in a function held at Sithum Pethum Sevana, Gonapola to celebrate the Christmas by singing Christmas Carols on the 02^nd December. President Nihal Nanayakkara along with his friends joined in singing providing music for the programme. Everyone who was present at the event thoroughly enjoyed the programme. Mrs. Indranie Mendis along with her friends met the entire expenses incurred on the event. Two volunteers attached to Sumaga, Ms. Risley Abraham Norma Gouri Abraham gifted tea shirts to all the children. The Association expresses its appreciation to all those who contributed to make the event a success.

 

Ayurveda Health Clinic

 

An Ayurveda Health Clinic organized by Mr. Priyantha, Social Services Officer of Ratmalana DS Office was held at Sumaga premises on 04^th December in collaboration with the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine. Community Medical Officers of the Ayurveda Department of the Ministry, Dr. D P P Wijeratne, Dr. R M P K Ratnayake and Dr. M J F Husna took part in the Clinic and prescribed Ayurveda medicine to children after examining them. The necessary medicine was provided free of charge to children. We were informed that they were planning to hold the clinic regularly once in two weeks in the future.

 

Western Medical Treatment

 

Our Association’s Vice President Mrs. Ajita Weerapss has been providing our Association the services of her friend domiciled in UK, Dr. (Mrs) Nimal Mark in conducting a medical clinic annually for the benefit of children at Sumaga and Sithum Pathum Sevana.  Our Association expresses its deep appreciation to both of them for their contribution.

 

Participation in Good Market Fair

 

Our Association sponsored the participation of several affiliated institutes in the Good Marketing Fair held on the 08^th December at old Race Course premises on Reid Avenue. The Institutes participated included Sumaga Institute, Madiwela Home, Smile Institute, Lotus Hill Home, Prithipura Home and Nisansala Home. They acquired a lot of information and knowledge on how to market products satisfactorily maintaining standards by their participation in the Fair.

 

 

Participation in the Trade Fair organized by the Ratmalana DS Office

 

At the invitation extended to the Association by Ms. Padmini Thalapalage of Ratmalana DS Office, students and teachers of Sumaga participated in the Trade Fair organized by the DS Office on 26^th and 27^th December at Ratmalana.

 

Project to provide lunch for Sumaga students

 

On a decision taken by the Executive Committee, lunch was provided to Sumaga students throughout 2018. Several members of the Executive Committee and well wishers including Dr. Chitrangani, Malkumari Chandrasekera, Vijai Kottegoda, Dimuthu Dilhara, Jayanthi Waduge, Damayanthi Meemeduma, H Srimathi Silva, Elan C Anandappa and Ajitha Weerapass, each supplied 100 kg of rice monthly. All parents and Sumaga staff supplied gas for a period of 6 months. Assistance from Chanithu Sendiv and regular contributions received from Vice Patron Ranjith Thabrew, Vice President Indrani Mendis, Secretary Nandhini Wijayaratnam and others enabled continuation of this project. With this support, it was possible to supply lunch to about 30 students daily on week days (other than during holidays) with the Association incurring less than Rs. 100,000 annually. The Association expresses its appreciation to everyone who supported this project.

 

In-kind contributions

 

Our Association received several items donated by well-wishers and these are listed below.

 

Item	Donor
20’x20’ tarpaulin tent	Vice Patron Mrs. Mahesh Ganeshan
Oil Lamp for use at functions	President Nihal Nanayakkara
Amplified Speaker	President Nihal Nanayakkara
Panasonic Food Mixture	Vice Patron Ranjith Thabrew
40 inch Colour TV set	Ratmalana DS Office through Mr. Priyantha
Drum Set for Western Band	Ratmalana DS Office through Mr. Priyantha
Sound System Set Up	Mr. W H Anura
Carrom Board	Mrs. Elan C Anaddappa
Stand for the Organ	Mrs. Elan C Anaddappa
Laptop Computer	Mrs. Malkumari Chandrasekera

 

The annual activities report is prepared by Mrs. Nandhini Wijayaratnam, Secretary/AIDSL, based on chronological information provided by Mrs. Vijai Kottegoda, the Administrative Officer of AIDSL ,Mrs. W.A.C. Sudarshani Piyumali / Asst Admin Secretary &  Mr. Ajithab Shivakumar/ Assistant

 

 

 

Nandhini Wijeyaratnam

Secretary – AIDSL