Our inspiring journey through more than 50  years of nurturing children with special needs in Sri Lanka, began with a single step in 1967 when three caring volunteers took into their hearts to nurture two children with Special Needs.  In the 1960s, when the rest of the world was forging ahead with programs and research regarding individuals with intellectual impairment, there was very little hope for a family with a special child in Sri Lanka. This is when the Chitra Lane School for the Special Child first opened in a single room, down Laurie’s road in Colombo 4.  In February 1973 the School moved to slightly larger premises on Bagatelle Road and then again in 1977 to its current location at 45/3 Chitra Lane in Colombo 5.

The Chitra Lane School created a haven where children and young adults with special needs were allowed to develop at their own pace and encouraged to reach their fullest potential.  Any child, regardless of his or her ethnic, religious, or socio-economic background was welcomed at our school.  By 1988, the student body had expanded to 250 and the Chitra Lane School for the Special Child had reached its maximum capacity.

With families continuing to arrive at our doorstep seeking our help, it was decided to expand our services and create a Resource Center that would conduct home-based programs and provide facilities to meet every aspect of the child including their physical, psychological, and educational development as well as addressing their medical needs.  Years of experience had taught us that detecting difficulties and developmental delays early on in a child’s life and providing the necessary help during early childhood, made a significant difference in minimizing the adverse effects of these difficulties.