Music with a mission tonight: Supporting over 16 years of free cataract services

Friday, 23 May 2025 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Performers of the event

Band Aroh

HelpAge Sri Lanka, one of the country’s oldest and most dedicated charitable organisations, has been steadfast in its mission to uplift and improve the lives of elderly individuals in need. Since its establishment in 1986, HelpAge has remained entirely donor-dependent, delivering a wide range of vital services for Sri Lanka’s senior citizens—including free medical and eye care, elderly day care, mobile medical units, Ayurveda therapy, home care training, advocacy, financial and livelihood support, and community-based elder empowerment programs.

Today (23 May), the organisation is launching an urgent fundraising initiative with a special concert titled “Symphony of Hope,” at 7:30 p.m. at the Musaeus College Auditorium. The event coincides with the month that marks over 16 years of service by its flagship HelpAge Charity Eye Hospital in Wellawatte, which continues to provide free cataract surgeries to underserved elderly citizens.

Established in 2009, the HelpAge Charity Eye Hospital has provided over 52,000 free cataract surgeries to underserved elderly individuals, performing up to 20 surgeries a day. However, sustaining this level of free service has become increasingly difficult due to rising operational expenses and growing demand. It now costs approximately Rs. 500,000 per day to fund the 20 free operations alone—highlighting the urgency and scale of the financial need.

The benefit concert will feature an all-star line-up: Sohan Weerasinghe, Annesley Malewana, Keerthi Pasquel, Mariazelle Gunathilake, Ashanthi De Alwis, Judy De Silva, Falan Andrea, Damien Wickramasinghe, and Rukshan Perera, supported by the versatile band ĀROH.

Proceeds from ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations—including the option to sponsor a surgery at Rs. 25,000—will go directly towards funding these life-transforming operations. The print media sponsor is Wijeya Newspapers, and the electronic media sponsor is Gold FM.

Corporates can support this vital and compassionate initiative by partnering through sponsorship tiers that include branding opportunities at the event. Additionally, companies are encouraged to engage their employees by promoting the purchase of tickets, helping to prevent blindness among the more than 500,000 elderly individuals in Sri Lanka who are at risk.

Tickets available via Tickets Ministry or by contacting HelpAge Sri Lanka for further information.

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