A resolution presented by the ESCO Rehab Sri Lanka Secretary General Mr. Vijaya Kurukulanatha  at the “SAMBHAV 2011” in New Delhi, where 15 countries  participated, to request the“United Nations “ to declare that :“Grant concessional Air Tickets for challenged persons when they represent their country at  any International event” was highly appreciated by the representatives of the participating countries.

Professor N.K.Chaddha of Delhi University, who  presided at the forum, said this resolution is very important and would facilitate the mobility of the challenged persons and will focus on the integration into mainstream of the civil society. Further he said that the USA has already implemented such a concessional system  domestically under the  AAPR system for senior citizens.

During this festival ESCO very Special paintings were exhibited at the Indian Cultural Centre where the Art exhibition was held. “SUPUN Dancing Academy “based in Rawathawatte,  Moratuwa performed challenged students dancing item at this festival along with other participating countries.

On this occasion an  M.O.U was signed by  ESCO REHAB SRILANKA & A.L.P.A.N.A Society of New Delhi, to exchange wide experiences   gained by them, to encourage joint  performances of each other  in their respective countries and to initiate several mutual integrated programmes. The  Ambassador. Mr. R.M. Agarwal presided at this function.  

Accordingly ESCO has decided to invite a team from A.L.P.A.N.A to perform at its Very Special Peace Arts Festival scheduled to be held on 11th & 12th February 2012 at ESCO Head quarters, in Egodauyana,  Moratuwa, where like in the previous year , challenged persons from the Northern and Eastern provinces are participating along with participants from other parts of the country.

As a mark of respect to him and to perpetuate his wonderful memory we list below some of his achievements.

• Organized ESCOLYMPICS, National festival of the disabled in 1981, 1985, 1988, 1993, 1997, a 3- day residential festival attended by over 1000 disabled persons and their escorts.

• Arranged to send more than 300 disabled persons and their helpers overseas for participation at international events. A remarkable achievement was recorded in the 1998 FESPIC Games in Thailand, when athletes from ESCO Rehab Sri Lanka created history in the annals of sports in Sri Lanka, when they won the highest number of medals (3 gold,3 silver & 4 bronze)to the country, at any international or regional sports events up to that time.

• Established Sri Lanka cultural troupe of the disabled. The first of its kind in the whole world.

• Led the historic cultural mission of the disabled to USA and UK in July, 1989.

• Won the 1st prize at the US Independence Day celebrations and Parade that followed at the Constitution Avenue, Washington .D.C.(1989)

• Organized the World Bank’s first cultural show at the auditorium in Washington D.C and another 21 cultural shows in USA and U.K.

• Accompanied Sri Lanka’s hearing-impaired magician to the International Deaf Magician’s festival in LEIPZIG Germany where he won the ‘Highest International Award’.

• Represented Sri Lanka at numerous world events for the first time in the field of Sports and Arts.

• Highlighted the historic occasion when a sapling of the world’s most ancient and venerated tree “Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi “ was planted in the Maha Mevuna Uyana, Anuradhapura and made arrangements to issue four commemorative stamps to mark this event.

We are proud to mention that ESCO Rehab Sri Lanka participated in the inaugural World Cup Deaf Cricket Tournament held in Melbourne, Australia in 1995.

Late Mr. Tissa Kurukulanatha won the presidential award ‘SRILANKA THILAKA’ Class 1 and Most Outstanding Citizen Award [Social Service]of the Lions Clubs International.