Sandun Amila Jayarathna stands as a beacon of resilience, running his own wellness center and empowering others like him

By Awarjitha Edirisooriya

Sandun Amila Jayarathna, 39, recalls his A/L days back in 2005, particularly his
accounts paper. It was a rainy and gloomy day, and his vision blurred. The
experience left him stressed and uncertain about his future. “On that day, my life
fell apart,” he remembers. Yet today, Sandun Amila Jayarathna stands as a
beacon of resilience, running his own wellness center and empowering others like
him.

Sandun grew up with partial eyesight that gradually worsened over time due to
Retinitis Pigmentosa, a condition that leads to progressive vision loss. After 5 PM,
the darkness terrified him because he couldn’t see anything. He accomplished
many things with the support of his parents and brother. Sandun recalls his days
at home after his A/Ls, feeling guilty for not earning an income for his family. “I
wanted to help my family in any way I could. For instance, I helped my father in
the cleaning equipment-making process. I thought to myself, if someone earns
100 rupees for that labor, I’ve contributed my part to help my father’s business,”
he shares. During this time, he tried various things, including computer courses,
but none felt fulfilling. Still, he held onto the belief that he would eventually find
his path.

Sandun always had a habit of rubbing his fingers together. One day, he wondered
what he could do with his fingertips. “I thought about how people sew, write
poems, or paint with their hands. That’s when I began thinking about how I could
use my fingertips to heal people. This curiosity led me to massage therapy,” he
explains.

Sharing how he started his journey as a massage therapist, Sandun expresses
gratitude to the Seeduwa Vocational Training Centre. “This place gave me the
foundation for where I am today, and it was completely free of charge,” he says.
He fondly recalls his first day there, realizing he wasn’t the only one in the world
who was differently abled. After completing his massage therapy course at
Seeduwa, Sandun trained under Dr. Wasantha Padmakumara to learn Ayurvedic
therapeutic massage. He then pursued an IPHM (International Practitioners of
Holistic Medicine) license, further solidifying his skills. In 2023, he even
represented Sri Lanka at the 10th International Abilympics held in France.

Overcoming numerous challenges, Sandun established his own wellness center in
Waskaduwa, named “Athinatha Wellness Centre,” in August 2024. He currently
employs two blind staff members and dreams of expanding his team to provide
opportunities for more differently abled individuals. “We shouldn’t look down on
ourselves or think that we can’t do anything. My aim is to create a space where
differently abled people can work and earn a living,” he says. Sandun even
ensures that the souvenirs given to clients, such as key tags made from coconut
shells, are crafted by a differently abled woman who cannot walk. “I hope my
center will become a welcoming place for all differently abled individuals,” he
adds.

Sandun’s impact extends beyond his business. In 2022, he conducted three
workshops for differently abled individuals, helping them gain skills and
confidence. His goal is to uplift their lives. “We are all sent to this world with a
purpose, and we should serve our community in the best way we can,” he says
with conviction.