A Few Words
About Us
Welcome
A Few Words About Us
Navajeevana is one of Sri Lanka’s pioneer organizations for disability that offers rehabilitative services and champions disability rights on a national scale. Founded in 1987 by Kumarini Wickramasuriya, the effort began as a small pre-school with fifteen children and three volunteers, but has since grown to a donor funded non-profit organization delivering services in the South and Eastern provinces or Sri Lanka with headquarters based Tangalle. Navajeevana also provides aid to areas of special impact – communities still recovering from the war and Indian Ocean Tsunami, where many lost their families and livelihoods.
The Navajeevana mission is : to promote the inclusion and rights of people with disabilities by enabling and empowering them through a holistic community-based approach, and to prevent disabilities by facilitating community action through education.
The Navajeevana Centre
2008, Navajeevana opened a fully accessible rehabilitation centre in Tangalle that provides on site therapy services and runs community clinics for people with disabilities. The site also has accommodation for beneficiaries and their families if needed during a course of treatment, a craft shop, and a fully accessible training centre. Navajeevana considers the centre to be a “one-stop shop” where people with disabilities can access all the services needed under one roof. These services include: physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, custom-made prosthetics and orthotics, supportive seating, wheelchair distributions, and audiological services. The training centre is a newly refurbished hall that can be rented out as a meeting room or space for workshops and trainings.
Board of Directors
Suresh de Mel
Chairman of BoardMr. Suresh de Mel, Chairman of Citrus Leisure, is a visionary entrepreneur supporting Navajeevana’s mission with expertise in tourism, sustainable development, and community empowerment initiatives.
Kamil Weerasekera
Board DirectorMr. Kamil Weerasekera, Chairman of the Peter Weerasekera Foundation and Vidyodaya Pirivena, brings decades of leadership, philanthropy, and vision to strengthen Navajeevana’s mission.
Ramal Jasinghe
Board DirectorMr. Ramal Jasinghe, with extensive experience in insurance and management, brings leadership excellence to Navajeevana, guiding its commitment to innovative solutions and organizational growth.
Manique Gunarathna
Board DirectorMs. Kishara Manique Gunaratne is a passionate advocate for disability rights, specializing in accessibility, human rights training, and inclusive policymaking in Sri Lanka and beyond.
Krishanthi Weerasinghe
Board DirectorMs. Krishanthi Weerasinghe, with a strong background in engineering, business, and project management, brings leadership expertise to Navajeevana, advancing initiatives for empowerment and development.
Management Staff
Geeth Kumara
Program DirectorAn experienced physiotherapist and Director-Programme, Mr Geeth leads impactful initiatives at Navajeevana, driving inclusive development and improving lives for persons with disabilities through strategic leadership.
Prasanga Hewa Rahingduwage
Head of Physical MedicineMr. Prasanga, certified in prosthetics, orthotics, civil engineering, and IT, drives empowerment at Navajeevana with expertise, adaptability, and inclusive community initiatives.
Rashmi Purasinghe
Head of Social MarketingWith 27 years in the disability sector, Ms. Rashmi leads Social Marketing and donor funding at Navajeevana, driving impactful change and empowering communities through strategic initiatives.
Piyumi Iresha
Head of Special SchoolMs. Piyumi Iresha, Head of Special Schools at Navajeevana, brings 16 years of expertise in disability inclusion and counseling, fostering emotional growth and mental well-being for individuals.
Fayis Nizam
Head of Admin and FinanceMr. Fayis, an experienced accountant with expertise in financial management, auditing, and accounting software, supports Navajeevana’s mission through meticulous financial oversight and strategic planning.