Union Assurance and Ministry of Health Champion Neurodiversity for Autism Awareness Day 2026

Union Assurance, Sri Lanka's longest-standing private Life Insurer, joined hands with the Ministry of Health, working alongside NAMASTE Sri Lanka (Neurodevelopment and Autism in South Asia: Treatment and Evidence), to bring Autism Awareness Day 2026 to life at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Colombo, marking a landmark national dialogue on inclusion and neurodiversity.

Held in the spirit of World Autism Awareness Day and aligned with this year's United Nations theme, 'Autism and Humanity: Every Life Has Value,' the event drew together government leaders, healthcare professionals, educators, mental health practitioners, and community advocates for a half-day of structured and solutions-focused conversation.

Union Assurance’s involvement in initiatives such as this inauguration ceremony highlights the understanding that meaningful, long-term protection is shaped not only through financial planning, but also through collective efforts that strengthen social and healthcare ecosystems.

Reflecting the health sector’s active stake in fostering more inclusive communities, the welcome address was delivered by Dr. Chandana Gajanayake, Regional Director of Health Services, Colombo, whose leadership was instrumental in bringing this event to fruition.

Further perspectives were shared by Prof. Samanmali P. Sumanasena, Professor in Paediatric Disabilities at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, and Consultant Paediatrician at North Colombo Teaching Hospital and the Ayati National Centre for Children with Disabilities, who addressed autism from a clinical and developmental perspective.

Additional insights were offered by Prof. Athula Sumathipala, Director of the Institute for Research and Development, focusing on mental health, research, and evidence-based approaches to understanding neurodiversity.

The programme featured keynote presentations from Social and Political Content Creator and Film Director Mr. Lakmal Darmarathne, who made the case for recognising the value of neurodiverse minds within the corporate sector, and Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer at N*able, Mr. Peter D'Almeida, who offered a candid, first-hand account of navigating professional life on the autism spectrum.

These were complemented by creative and personal storytelling segments that brought empathy and human perspective to the fore.

Three panel discussions, moderated by a social work academic and a consultant community paediatrician, spanned workplace inclusion, the design of sensory-friendly environments, and breaking down misconceptions around communication and mental well-being, drawing together practitioners, entrepreneurs, and parent advocates in frank and wide-ranging dialogue.

These segments were further enriched by contributions from actress and art based practitioner Kalani Dodantenna, whose work draws on creative expression to create inclusive spaces for neurodiverse children, complementing the day’s clinical and workplace perspectives.

The event drew to a close with personal testimonies from parents of adults with autism, grounding the day's proceedings in deeply personal narratives and reaffirming that at the heart of every policy discussion and corporate commitment is a person whose life is shaped by whether we choose to include or exclude.

Commemorating the event, Regional Director of Health Services, Colombo, Dr. Chandana Gajanayake said,

"Neurodiversity is not a niche concern. It is a public health reality that touches families across every community in Sri Lanka.

Early understanding, the right support systems, and environments that accommodate difference rather than penalise it can meaningfully change the trajectory of a neurodiverse individual's life.

Events such as this are vital in building that awareness across our society.

We are grateful to Union Assurance and all our partners for their commitment to making this conversation happen."

Emphasising the importance of corporate advocacy, Chief Marketing Officer at Union Assurance, Mahen Gunarathna highlighted,

"At Union Assurance, we believe that protecting what matters most extends to seeing and welcoming all people.

Neurodiversity is not a challenge to be managed; it is a dimension of humanity to be understood and actively supported.

Being part of today's event created an opportunity for us to establish our commitment to embedding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion beyond our walls, as part of the John Keells Holdings family.

We are proud to be part of this journey in serving our communities."

Union Assurance is a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), the largest conglomerate listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, operating with over 80 companies in 7 diverse industry sectors.

The Company has completed nearly four decades of success with a Market Capitalisation of Rs. 45.6 Bn and a Life Fund of Rs. 92.8 Bn as of end December 2025.

Set to protect lives and enrich the well-being of all Sri Lankans, Union Assurance offers Life Insurance solutions that cover the health, investment, protection, retirement and education needs of Sri Lankans.

With an island-wide branch network and a workforce that is over 3000-strong, Union Assurance continues to invest in people, products and processes with a customer-centric focus to be responsive to emerging changes in the Life Insurance industry.

Union Assurance PLC is licensed by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL).