Colombo: Hemas Outreach Foundation celebrated World Down Syndrome Day
under the theme ‘Thanak Demu’ (a place in society) at the AYATI Centre in Ragama, through the ‘Eka
Se Salakamu’ social movement, which empowers children and families with Down Syndrome to live a
dignified life.
Efforts such as this represent the Hemas Group’s focus to create an inclusive world where no child is
left behind. In Sri Lanka, most children and families with Down Syndrome face societal isolation due
to stigma, resulting in the public being unaware of the capabilities of this community. Hemas
Outreach Foundation is confident that with the right approach, children with Down Syndrome can
integrate well into society, making them productive citizens of the nation.
Celebrations included creating awareness and casting the spotlight on the remarkable achievements
of individuals with Down Syndrome.
Speaking at the event, Shiromi Masakorala, Executive Director, Hemas Outreach Foundation/Ayati
Trust said, “Though every child in Sri Lanka has the right to free education, children with special
needs are often treated differently and are rejected by some schools. While such children may not be
the best at academics, all they need is an inclusive learning environment to get them integrated into
society as productive citizens. Our mission is to ensure that when it comes to learning, no
differentiation should exist among children with Down Syndrome or children with any other
disability.
Meanwhile, Prof. Samanmali Sumanasena, Professor in Paediatric Disabilities - Disability Studies
Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya and Hon. Consultant Paediatrician - North
Colombo Teaching Hospital and Ayati National Center for Children with Disabilities, added, “While
children and adults with Down Syndrome are becoming increasingly integrated into society and
community organisations across the world, Sri Lanka still has some catching up to do, for no other
reason than the societal stigma attached to the same. Many fail to understand that such children are
gifted in their own ways, from excelling in creativity and the performing arts, to reading into the
emotions of those around them. It is also extremely important to understand that these children also
can achieve academic strengths and sit for public examinations with reasonable accommodations,
hence the health and the education providers should guide the families to get the best educational
outcomes in these children. Together with Hemas Group, we are confident that we can break
through these negative stereotypes for good.”
Since its launch in 2021 the social movement ‘Eka Se Salakamu’ by Hemas Outreach Foundation has
become one of the most proactive groups in terms of creating a platform to recognise the rights of
those with Down Syndrome, while promoting inclusivity in today’s society.
About Hemas Outreach Foundation
Established under Hemas Holdings PLC, the Hemas Outreach Foundation has been leading the
Group’s efforts to enrich lives through transformative social responsibility. Hemas Outreach
Foundation operates as a charitable trust with the intention of creating an inclusive
world where no child is left behind. Our aim is to help disadvantaged children across the island to
provide world-class pre-school education and improve the lives of differently-abled children with
high-quality therapeutic intervention and eradicating stigma related to disabilities. Currently, the
collective efforts of the foundation have been able to positively impact more than 100,000 lives of
children and families across the country.
![Hemas CEO](https://hemas.com/assets/images/news/hemas-outreach-foundation-celebrates-world-down-syndrome-day-1.jpg)
Shiromi Masakorala – Executive Director Hemas Outreach Foundation / AYATI Trust Sri Lanka
Ajey Amalean – Trustee AYATI Trust Sri Lanka
Binadi Yuhansa
Roshan Mahanama - Trustee AYATI Trust Sri Lanka
Prof. Nilanthi de Silva – Vice Chancellor Kelaniya University / Chairperson AYATI Trust Sri Lanka
![Hemas CEO](https://hemas.com/assets/images/news/hemas-outreach-foundation-celebrates-world-down-syndrome-day-2.jpg)
Prof. Samanmali Sumanasena – Professor in Paediatric Disabilities, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya
Shiromi Masakorala - Executive Director Hemas Outreach Foundation / AYATI Trust Sri Lanka
Kosala Dullewa
Kosala Perera
Roshan Mahanama - Trustee AYATI Trust Sri Lanka
Neli de Silva
Bindai Yuhansa
Prof. Nilanthi de Silva – Vice Chancellor Kelaniya University / Chairperson AYATI Trust Sri Lanka
Ajey Amalean - Trustee AYATI Trust Sri Lanka
Shamel Andrio
Binadi Yuhansa
Prof. Asvini Fernando – Hon. Director Ayati national Center for Children with Disabilities