Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka

The Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka was set up by parents and carers Ivan and Charika Corea in 2003, to lobby for public services of health, education, specialist speech therapy and respite care for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in Sri Lanka.

It is declared that there are 30,000 autistic children in Sri Lanka. Many are being kept at home and there are only a handful of schools who agree to take in autistic children.

Sri Lankan entertainer Desmond de Silva created history by becoming the first musician to appeal on autism. Speaking to thousands at a concert in Colombo in August 2005, Desmond de Silva said: 'Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder affecting so many around the world. Autism is not mental illness, these children and adults think differently. Albert Einstein they say was autistic. How many in the audience know that there is only 1 autistic person in Sri Lanka? So we as entertainers, urge you all to ‘speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.’ Lets spread awareness of autism, particularly when numbers of autistic children are rising and we urge our government to also provide public services – who knows we may even produce Albert Einsteins if we provide education, health, specialist speech therapy for autistic children in our lovely island.'

One of Sri Lanka's most famous singer/songwriters, Nimal Mendis, is also supporting the campaign.