On April 11, 2025, the event “Monaththavam” was held at Saba Lingam Hall, Jaffna Hindu College, to commemorate the 11-year journey of Mathavam and to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders.
The program commenced with a warm welcome and a presentation that detailed Mathavam’s origins, mission, and evolving impact over the past decade. Established in 2014 amidst the post-war recovery period in Northern Sri Lanka, Mathavam has grown into a beacon of hope for hundreds of children and their families. The introductory presentation took the audience through its humble beginnings, the challenges faced, and the remarkable progress made in developing therapeutic, educational, and community-based services.
This was followed by a moving video documentary, the visuals resonated deeply with the audience, revealing how the center has provided not just therapy, but also dignity, acceptance, and support to families navigating the complexities of autism and related conditions.
One of the key highlights of the event was a keynote address delivered by Dr. Dilini Vipulanga, Consultant Community Paediatrician, who shared insights into autism care and community engagement. The program also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Whose Child is Autism?” which brought together professionals from diverse disciplines to discuss the collective responsibility in supporting children with autism and their families.
Throughout the event, numerous well-wishers both in-person and virtualsh ared their experiences with Mathavam and extended their congratulations and support for its continued service.
A significant milestone of the day was the official release of a commemorative book titled “Monaththuvam.” This book offers comprehensive insights into Mathavam’s journey, its therapeutic approaches, future aspirations and broader perspectives on Autism spectrum disorders.
Beyond celebrating a decade of service, “Monaththavam” served as a powerful platform for raising public awareness and promoting inclusion, compassion, and continued advocacy for neurodiverse individuals in Sri Lanka.
