Health therapy unit opened in memory of international umpire Ajith C.S. Perera

Thursday, 29 February 2024 01:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ajith C.S. Perera Health Therapy Unit

A health therapy unit in the name of late Sri Lanka international cricket umpire Ajith C.S. Perera was declared open by his sister Deepthi Gunaratne in Haldummulla on his 72nd birth anniversary which fell on 24 February.

The facility named Ajith C.S. Perera Health Therapy Unit is adjacent to a care home for physically and mentally handicapped destitute elders run by the Grand Smiles Foundation and will serve its residents and provide training in elder care.

Late Ajith C.S. Perera, a qualified pharmacist had a distinguished career as an international umpire ahead of him having become the first Sri Lankan to qualify for the ICC Test cricket panel in 1992. However, his budding career was cut short cruelly when he was struck down by a tragic accident that severed his spinal cord and confined him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

But Ajith refused to give up and fought life’s battle bravely writing books on cricket and more importantly championing the cause of the differently abled as himself. He sought legislation to make it mandatory for all public buildings to have accessibility for the differently abled and secured a Supreme Court judgement to support his cause.

Ajith’s passing away left a serious void and to ensure his memory is perpetuated in a meaningful way, this health therapy unit was opened.