2024 – October – Shanti Jayasekera

by Lionel Bandara | Oct 18, 2024 | Obotuary-Notices

Honoring a Cherished Life

In Memory of Shanti Jayasekera

Join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Shanti Jayasekera, a devoted advocate for the Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka community.

A Tribute to Shanti Jayasekera

Shanti Jayasekera was a beacon of hope and compassion within the Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka charity. His tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those in need have left an indelible mark on our community.

Shanti Jayasekera provided essential support and resources to the deaf and blind communities in the UK. His passion for advocacy and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life made his an invaluable member of our organisation.

Funeral Service for Shanti Jayasekera

Friday, 18th October

We invite you to join us in paying respects to Shanti Jayasekera at her funeral service. The service will be held at St Pauls Church, Ruislip, HA4 0BP, at 12:15 pm. Following the service, a gathering will take place at Middlesex Stadium, Breakspear Road, HA4 7SB. Please note that the crematorium will be reserved for immediate family only. We appreciate your understanding and respect for the family’s wishes during this time.

Committee Meeting – Victoria

by Lionel Bandara | Jun 8, 2024 | Committee Meetings

DABAL Committee Meeting – 08.06.24

Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka trustees had a face to face meeting at the Victoria Place. Discussed future events including below subjects.

Donations for Just Giving
South London Tamil Church
CAF Cheques
20^th Anniversary Concert
Other regular Donations
Grants to schools

Trustees visited to five schools in Sri Lanka April – May 2024 with grants.

1.Sri Sudarshi Special School for The Deaf & Blind, Ella, Bandarawela
2. Moratuwa – Sri Chandrasekara School for the Deaf.
3. School for the Deaf and Blind, Kumbukkana, Saubagya Vidyalaya, Monaragala.
4. Islamic Centre for the Physically Handicapped
5. Riyanzie Alagiyawanna Special (Deaf Blind) School, Anuradhapura

DABAL 20th Anniversary – 11- 05 – 2024

by Lionel Bandara | May 11, 2024 | Events

DABAL-20th anniversary

DABAL 20th Anniversary Musical Event had on Saturday 11th May 2024 at 6.30pm, at St Michael & All Angels Church, Bedford Park, Bath Road, London W4 1TT. The concert started at 7pm. Our Patron, Lord Low of Dalston and newly appointed patron Dr. Chris Nonis presented. The event is organised by Mr Alan Durham who has put together many successful musical events for us and is an experienced musician himself. We have the pleasure of performances by very talented musicians – soprano Gayathrie Peiris Patrick,pianists Chaturika Rajapakse and Elizabeth Jones. Last but not least the stunning Emma Callister Quintet plays jazz.

DABAL Chairman addressing audience at Maharagama Youth Centre

by Lionel Bandara | May 7, 2024 | Events

Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka

Sri Lanka

“The Chairman of Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka attended a graduation ceremony in Sri Lanka and took this opportunity to speak about the UK-registered charity, which supports rural deaf and blind schools in Sri Lanka.”

Dr. Besley Welisarage

Lionel Bandara

Lionel with Dr. Besley Welisarage

From Chairman

On behalf of the UK-registered charity Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka, it was a great honor to participate in the Saranganavi Graduation Festival in Sri Lanka. This event provided a unique platform to showcase the charity’s efforts and achievements in supporting schools across the country.
Chairman Lionel Bandara delivered an inspiring speech, highlighting the charity’s mission and the significant impact it has had on Sri Lankan schools. He detailed the various projects completed so far, emphasizing the tangible benefits these initiatives have brought to the educational landscape.

2024 – Anuradhapura – Riyanzie Alagiyawanna Special school visit

by Lionel Bandara | May 3, 2024 | Schools-Visits

Report on Visit to Anuradhapura Riyanzie Alagiyawanna Special (Deaf Blind) School

Introduction

While I was in Sri Lanka on holiday in April 2024, I managed to communicate with the former principal of the Anuradhapura Riyanzie Alagiyawanna Special (Deaf Blind) School, Mrs. Sagarika Chandrani Wimaratne. I made arrangements for my visit because this school was selected to receive funds from DABAL’s AGM held in October 2023. Although Mrs. Sagarika retired a few weeks ago, she kindly volunteered to organize our visit and introduced me to the new principal, Mr. Sudath Priyadarshna.

The Visit

I spoke to Mr. Priyadarshna beforehand and visited the school on the 4th of May. The management board, all principals, teachers, and students welcomed us warmly, and they were delighted with our visit. One of my sister’s friends, Sujeewa, kindly offered his car for the trip. I drove with my brother-in-law, Manjula Indrajith, and his daughter Jayani. The journey from Kurunegala to Anuradhapura, about 100 km, took approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Event Highlights

The visit was remarkable. The welcoming dance by deaf children created an incredibly warm and inclusive atmosphere. Their creativity and enthusiasm were truly inspiring. Additionally, there were many more performances by individual and groups of students, skillfully coordinated by the dancing teachers behind the scenes.

Purpose of Donation

The funds we donated will be used to install a ceiling in the boys’ hall to protect from the sun and to prevent flooding during the rainy season. The ceiling will also help during hot periods, providing much-needed comfort.

Speeches and Appreciation

Several speeches were given by board members, the Principal, the Vice Principal, and the former Principal, expressing their admiration for our support and wishing us continued strength in the future. The gratitude and warmth from the school community were deeply felt.

The visit to Anuradhapura Riyanzie Alagiyawanna Special (Deaf Blind) School was a fulfilling experience, showcasing the impact of our efforts and the appreciation from the community. We look forward to continuing our support for these deserving schools.

Thank you, Lionel Bandara 03.05.2024 (DABAL – Chairman)