SRI LANKA COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND (SLCB)

History

The SLCB is a non-profit voluntary organization inaugurated in 1957 for the visually impaired and blind, recognized and registered with the Government of Sri Lanka to serve the interests of the visually impaired persons (VIPs) and blind, irrespective of any differences. It was originally named National Council for the Deaf and Blind. It was an initiative of Hon. T.B.Ilangaratne, Minister of Labor, Housing and Social Services, following up the Edgar Mallon Report of the United Nations.

Patron

From its inception, the Head of the State had been the Patron of the Council.

Prominent Contributors

The Council’s first President was Professor Gunapala Malalasekara, Educationist and Ambassador. He was succeeded by several prominent personalities, such as Sir Cyril de Zoysa, Sir Francis Molamure, Mrs. Seetha Seneviratne, Sir Senerat Gunewardene (Leading politicians and Ambassador), Chief Justice Hema Basnayake, Mr.K.L.V. Alagiyawanna (Educationist, Attorney at Law and Ambassador), Mrs. Chandra Alagiyawanna (Private Secretary to Prime Minister Hon Sirimavo Bandaranaike), Mr. A.S. Chatoor (Leading Businessman), Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria (Attorney at Law, Author, High Commissioner), Mr. Amaradasa Gunawardana (Senior Public Official, Author, and President of Sri Lanka China Society and Belgium Society). The incumbent President is Mr. Austin Fernando (Former Secretary to the President and High Commissioner).

Messers Rienzi Alagiyawanna, S.M.Benjamin, S.L. Hettiarachchi, Rupasinghe Perera, R.A.Sirisena, Nawaratne Banda, and R.M.H.P.Gunaratne et al are among the foremost vision-impaired members ofthe SLCB who served the cause of the VIPs and blind.

In 1971 on the request made by leaders of the then Council, the new SLCB commenced operations to serve the VIPs and blind.