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Ayati, Sri Lanka's only National Center for Children with Disabilities, proudly celebrates five years of dedicated service to the nation. As the Disability Study Unit of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ayati has provided free, comprehensive interventions to over 14,000 children across the country, exemplifying a groundbreaking Public- Private initiative.
Health professionals estimate that approximately 20% of Sri Lankan children - one in five - face some form of disability or significant challenge requiring attention. Early identification and intervention are crucial in enabling these children to reach their fullest potential and integrate into society as valued and contributing members. On any given working day, approximately 100 children and their families receive services at Ayati.
The Ayati Center was established through a collaborative partnership between the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, and key private sector contributors. Hemas Holdings, MAS Holdings, and the Roshan Wijerama Family Foundation servedd as principal funding partners, supported by many like-minded organizations. The construction of the Center was undertaken by the Sri Lanka Army, showcasing a truly cross-sector effort. The Center was officially inaugurated on January 25, 2020.
Professional services at Ayati are primarily delivered by staff from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, and the Ministry of Health. The Ayati Trust Sri Lanka funds the day-to-day operations, ensuring the sustainability of this essential service.
Ayati adopts a multidisciplinary approach, offering a wide range of services for children with disabilities, addressing their needs from the neonatal stage through young adulthood. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the Center provides assessments and interventions for conditions including cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, speech and language delays, communication disorders, visual and hearing impairments, swallowing difficulties, gait abnormalities, sensory disorders, intellectual impairments, learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and behavioral disorders etc.
As a training hub, Ayati also prepares undergraduate and postgraduate doctors, speech and language therapists, audiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists. The Center comprises specialized units such as: Developmental Pediatrics and Child Psychiatry; Speech and Language Therapy; Child Development and Clinical Psychology; Physiotherapy; Occupational Therapy and Audiology. The audiology laboratories feature advanced technology for comprehensive hearing and balance assessments. The physiotherapy unit includes a cost- effective gait laboratory, and the occupational therapy wing features a sensory room and Snoezelen environment to support sensory integration therapy.
Despite its achievements, Ayati faces significant challenges, including a shortage of professional staff and the ongoing brain drain affecting the country. Rising operational costs have further strained the Center’s resources, creating a pressing need for additional support. The Ayati Trust currently relies on contributions from its principal funding partners, the Roshan Mahanama Trust and like mindedlike-minded individual donors and the Roshan Mahanama Trust to sustain its operations. To ensure the continued functioning of this vital national resource, Ayati invites potential donors to join the "Friends of Ayati" initiative.
Currently operating at full capacity, Ayati remains committed to serving children with disabilities but cannot accommodate a significant influx of new patients due to resource constraints. Families who wish to access Ayati’s services are kindly advised to pre-book appointments well in advance to avoid inconvenience. This approach allows Ayati to maintain the highest standard of care for all children under its care.