Sunday Times 2
Community Programme to mark International Disability Day by Saviya Development Foundation
View(s):The Saviya Development Foundation and Saviya Women’s Organisation with the assistance of the Social Services Ministry will conduct the Saviya Athwela Diriya Prasadini Festival at at Siridhamma College, Labuduwa in Galle today, Sunday, December 7 from 9.30 a.m. onwards. The event is being held at a national level to celebrate International Day of Disability 2014.
With the participation of special schools, disabled rehabilitation centres, special education institutes, vocational training institutes and community-based organisations, over a thousand children and youth with disability and special needs are expected to participate at this occasion. The programme is held annually organised to empower people with special needs. This year’s theme is Sustainable Development; the promise of technology.
Certificates and cash prizes will be awarded to winners of the competition. Free medical, eye and dental clinic for the disabled will also be held in the morning.
A cultural and art programme of disabled people will also be held. Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Galle district MP and Dr. Jeanne Pere, the founder of Jeanamitabh Welfare Trust of India will participate in the opening session.
Six veterans who helped disabled in different fields as social development and welfare, education, international services, human rights and art will receive Saviya Athwela Diriya Prasadini award at this ceremony. They are Dr. Jeanne Pere, founder of the Jeanamitabh Welfare Trust of India, Dr Riddley Jayasinghe, Director General of the National Institute of Social Development, Mrs. Leena Haidaramini, shareholder of the Hirdramani Group of Companies, Prof. Hemapala Pathirana of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Organisation, Shriyarathne Munasinghe, founder of the Swarndama Foundation and Jayasinghe Jayaweera Kandambi, JP and social worker.