Throughout the past 40 years, HASL has made significant strides. Its flagship, the HelpAge Eye Hospital, Colombo 6, has performed 52,249 cataract surgeries on a free of charge basis and our Mobile Medical Units have provided thousands of medical consultations to the needy elders, who would have otherwise, been neglected without the required medical care. HASL’s livelihood support, elders’ rights advocacy, and health awareness campaigns have touched the lives of countless individuals, giving them hope and dignity, where and when it is most needed.

In recent years, we have also taken bold steps, to address the emerging challenges of an ageing society. With Sri Lanka’s elderly population expected to reach 25% by 2040, HASL’s responsibility is more challenging than before. The demographic shift presents, both a setback as well as an opportunity, which requires more inclusive policies, intergenerational solidarity and a collective reimaging of how Sri Lankans and HASL, value and care for its Senior Citizens.

HASL is also indebted to all its Corporate and Individual donors in Sri Lanka and Overseas. I deeply value and appreciate the unstinted co-operation, received from the Members of the Council. The efforts of each and every Council member, working together as a team, has so far enabled us to achieve, all our objectives and goals.

I would at this stage, take a moment to convey our thanks to Mr. Samantha Liyanawaduge who retired, after, a productive and effective term, as the Executive Director of HelpAge Sri Lanka.

Having said that, I am overwhelmed and very happy to welcome, Dr. Harsha Bandara, who has already, proactively begun his important role, as the newly appointed Executive Director of HelpAge Sri Lanka.

It is with much regret, that I place on record the resignation of our Council member Mr. Nimal Dias Jayasinha. During his tenure of 18 years, he made an extremely positive contribution, enhancing the growth of HASL. In addition to this, he made an unexpected donation of a three-story building valued at over Rs. 50 Million. This building is currently being used as a Training Centre for the Home Care Division, which he himself, introduced, a few years back. HelpAge Sri Lanka, will always be indebted to Mr. Nimal Dias Jayasinha for his exemplary loyalty and enhancing the stature of HASL.

I wish to thank Dr. Vijith Kannangara the Chairman of Smart Media, for providing complimentary services, for designing and printing of our Annual Report. I also wish to convey my appreciation, to Ceylon Secretarial Services (Pvt) Limited and to our Auditors, Wijeyeratne & Company, for their most trusted services, since the establishment of HelpAge Sri Lanka in 1986.

Whilst being very grateful to Dr. (Mrs.) Champa Banagala, for overlooking our Eye Hospital, I am equally indebted to Ms. Yasmin Raheem and Ms. Anosha Subasinghe, for editing and compiling our Annual Report, continuously, on a year on year, basis.

I would also, like to extend our sincere most thanks to Mr. Sanjeev Gardiner for his guidance and for hosting all our Council meetings at the Galle Face Hotel.

Finally, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Maithri Wickremesinghe P.C., Mr. Nishantha Gooneratne and Mr. Krishan Balendra, for their deep commitment and more importantly for sharing their invaluable knowledge, in the fields of, management, finance and legal matters.

As we commemorate the 40th anniversary, we convey our gratitude to HelpAge International (HAI) and Age UK, for having made our celebration a reality. Together, we have built more than just an Institution, but a legacy of care, advocacy, and hope for a future, where ageing is not feared but embraced with dignity and security.

In a recent press release by Mr. Cherian Mathews the CEO of HelpAge International (HAI) U.K., who was on a visit to Sri Lanka, in 2025, had stated that, HelpAge Sri Lanka, is calling for the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act No. 09 of 2000, to be updated and strengthened, alongside the development of national strategies on Healthy Ageing, Social Pensions, and Social Protection.

Let us continue to move forward with renewed purpose, honouring our past and building a better tomorrow for the Elders of Sri Lanka.