Orange supports the visually impaired

By Sapumali GALAGODA

Member Sri Lanka Federation for visually handicapped C.P. Kumara receives appointment letter from Managing Director Orange Electric Kushan Kodituwakku. Pic. Kavindra Perera

International White Cane Day is celebrated on October 15 to reiterate the importance of the white cane and to promote a safe environment for the visually handicapped. Orange Electric joined hands with the Sri Lanka Federation of the Visually Handicapped (SLFVH) to mark international White Cane Day in Sri Lanka on October 18th at the 41st anniversary of the SLFVH. The traditional White Cane Walk from Vihara Maha Devi Park to the Public Library with the participation of the visually handicapped, their families and members of the public was held last week.

SLFVH operates a small scale handloom weaving centre as a means of sourcing income for the blind. The products are marketed by the federation and employees are remunerated on a piece rate basis. Orange supports them by purchasing these products and distributing them to retail stores, ensuring the visually handicapped are spared the task difficult of marketing same.

Cataract is the main culprit behind blindness in Sri Lanka and it affects 50-60 percent of the population. A project taken on by Orange's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program provides lenses to persons who require cataract surgery. Over 2000 surgeries have been funded to date by Orange Electric.

The concept Light for You Sight for Me was initiated eight years back by Orange, the only representative in national eye care. Orange has also reconstructed the three major eye units including the theatres in Kegalle, Balapitiya and Horana hospitals. Eye related issues account for 30 percent of premature births in Sri Lanka. Under the schools' screening and spectacle distribution program in the Hambantota district all school children are being checked for visual impairment, said CEO Orange Electric, Kamil Hassan.