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From Silence to Supported – the journey of a hearing-impaired entrepreneur

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A chance encounter with a stranger during a doctor’s appointment when he was three years old changed the course of Isuru Lakhshan Weerasooriya’s life for the better. Isuru was diagnosed with a hearing impairment after his mother, Pathma Kumari, noticed anomalies in his behaviour. Isuru was spotted by a staff member of Women’s Development Centre (WDC) who knew he needed a different kind of support, which WDC could provide.

WDC empowers women, children, youth, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups and offers therapy, formal sign language classes and other personalized treatment through its Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programme. This includes home-based therapeutic intervention offered through 11 centres in the Kandy District. Under this programme, Isuru, a fast learner, was ready to be integrated into a special school for the hearing impaired by the age of five.

“I joined WDC when I was very young, and I learned sign language. I made new friends. It was a chance for me to develop my social skills,” Isuru says.

His mother added, “WDC supported us and helped us enrol Isuru in a special school where he studied until O/L. He then attended a state owned special vocational training school, where he trained in crafting leather products.”

Isuru began making and selling leather products such as drums, key tags and his mother enrolled them both in a shoe-making workshop. They took part in a shoe-making workshop led by Mr. M.K.G. Saman Leelarathne, a leather product consultant from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The training focused on designing and creating shoes without using moulds, which is a method used by only a few shoe manufacturers in Sri Lanka and was held at one of WDC’s rehabilitation centres.

The workshop was one of many initiatives funded by RYTHM Foundation, the social impact arm of the Hong Kong headquartered QI Group of Companies, in collaboration with WDC as a capacity building programme for the community trainers, teachers, parents and people with disabilities. The Foundation aims to empower lives and transform communities around the world through strategic partnerships and human development programmes that equip communities to build sustainable livelihoods.

Six months after taking part in the shoe making workshop, Isuru produced and sold several pairs of shoes and sandals. Isuru and his mother are grateful for the opportunity that helps them earn a livelihood.

RYTHM Foundation has been working closely with WDC on creating awareness for disability rights, prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation for persons with disabilities to ensure them opportunities to lead fulfilled lives.

“I believe my son can live a life with dignity because of WDC and we truly appreciate their contribution to my son’s development” said Pathma.



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Mount Lotus Hospital Glaucoma Week campaign

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Mount Lotus Hospital

Mount Lotus Hospital marks Glaucoma Week (March 9–15) with an awareness campaign titled “Live Without Drops”, highlighting glaucoma as a leading cause of irreversible blindness. The hospital emphasizes the importance of regular eye exams for individuals over 35 and addressed the burden of lifelong eye drop treatments for diagnosed patients.

The campaign promotes Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) as a breakthrough treatment to reduce dependency on daily eye drops, offering patients improved quality of life. Chief Dr. Saman Basnayake underscored the hospital’s commitment to affordable, high-quality care, including OPD and ENT services, backed by its ISO 9001:2015 certification.

During the week, the hospital also showcases SLT’s benefits at the Medicare exhibition, educating the public about glaucoma risks and advancing its mission to provide accessible, drop-free treatment solutions.

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VS One honors 5th anniversary celebration: A milestone of excellence and innovation

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The theme of the celebration was a powerful metaphor: a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, symbolizing the past five years of growth and evolution for both companies. This transformation embodies the company’s bold vision of thinking bigger, bolder, and embracing risk. The celebration brought together employees, partners, and group leaders in an evening that encapsulated the spirit of the company’s journey, highlighting its unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The company has built strong partnerships with industry-leading providers and provides cutting-edge solutions to enterprises in multiple sectors including Telecom, Public, Banking & Finance, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and many others.

Wajira Wanigasekara, CEO/Director of VS One World (PTE) Ltd, welcomed the guests and shared his experience of leading VS One World to new heights. Under his leadership, the company has successfully expanded from the SAARC region to Europe. Wanigasekara also highlighted the importance of transformation, drawing a parallel to the concept of Lobster Moulting, a natural process of growth and renewal.

Prasanna Wijeratne, Founding Director of VS One, shared his vision for founding VS One and the company’s journey from its inception. The event also featured a keynote speech by the guest of honor Dr. Ruwan Weerasinghe, who discussed the role of innovative artificial intelligence in shaping the future of the IT industry.

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LOLC Holdings joins FTSE Frontier 50 Index

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LOLC Holdings PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading diversified conglomerate, has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a place in the FTSE Frontier 50 Index, effective from March 24, 2025. This prestigious inclusion follows the latest semi-annual review by FTSE Russell, underscoring LOLC’s growing prominence in global financial markets.

The FTSE Frontier 50 Index comprises the largest and most liquid companies from frontier markets, serving as a key benchmark for global investors seeking exposure to high-growth economies. LOLC’s inclusion is a testament to its strong financial performance, consistent market liquidity, and increasing investor confidence. It further solidifies the company’s reputation as a dominant force in frontier and emerging markets, attracting the attention of international institutional investors.

As one of Sri Lanka’s most influential multinational corporations, LOLC boasts a diverse business portfolio spanning financial services, leisure, agriculture, and manufacturing. With operations extending across 26 countries in South and Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Africa, the group has successfully positioned itself as a global leader in financial innovation and economic development. Its disciplined financial management, robust risk framework, and forward-thinking growth strategies have played a pivotal role in securing a place among the most investable companies in frontier markets.

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