About Us

Our Philosophy

We provide a safe and nurturing home for individuals in need of special care and attention due to mental, physical, or other disabilities. Our goal is to support their well-being and rehabilitation, while empowering each resident to grow with dignity and independence.

We believe every person has unique skills, talents, and personalities waiting to be nurtured. Through engaging activities and community involvement, we encourage our residents to discover their strengths and build confidence.

This journey is made possible thanks to the dedication of volunteers from schools, universities, companies, and caring individuals who share their time and compassion with us.

✨ We warmly invite you to join us in this mission — together, we can make a difference.

Our Beginnings

The CFS Prithipura Home was inaugurated in 1962 as a non-traditional community home. Its founding was the result of a collaboration starting with the formation of the Ceylon Fellowship of Service (CFS) by an Englishman, Peter Davie, and other staff members of the Colombo Gas Company. The association was created for the benefit of mentally and physically differently abled children in Sri Lanka.

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CFS was soon joined by an ordained Buddhist monk, Bhikku Sumana (who later became the Director), and an Anglican priest, Dr. Brian de Kretser (Deputy Director), both of whom were keen on starting a boys' home. They secured a four-and-a-half-acre plot of land in Hendala, Wattala, offered without payment by the National Christian Council.

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With funds from members and well-wishers, the Prithipura Home was established. It initially comprised three huts with cemented floors, wooden walls, and thatch roofs, housing about four boys and a few housemothers. The name "Prithipura"—meaning "place of happiness"—was inspired by a mentally challenged boy who shouted "Prithi" during a discussion about a suitable name. Children of all ethnicities and religious denominations were admitted.

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The Home experienced a difficult period when Dr. de Kretser broke away to run the infants' section under the same name, and Bhikku Sumana retired due to age and ill health. To distinguish itself, the main home was renamed the CFS Prithipura Home.

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At this crucial juncture, Dr. Gladys Jayewardene joined the Committee as its Founder President. Under her dynamic leadership, the Home gained significant support, leading to the construction of more solid and airy cottages, a well-equipped kitchen, a recreational hall, a physiotherapy unit, and an activity centre. Sadly, the Home faced a severe setback with Dr. Jayewardene's death during a civil insurrection.

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Today, the CFS Prithipura Home provides a safe, family-like environment for about 60 mentally and physically differently abled residents, ranging from childhood to adulthood. The Home is guided by its mission to care for residents in a community environment that enables them to live life to the fullest. The dedication of the staff is a testament to the love, care, and security provided, with some residents having been there for over 60 years.

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CFS Prithipura Home is an approved charity under the Inland Revenue Act, re-registered since July 2022. You can view the official government gazette here: Sinhala / English / Tamil

Our Cottages

The CFS Prithipura Home is a community home where the residents live in an extended family unit, giving the feel of "a home within a home."

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There are seven cottages within the premises, all equipped with necessary facilities. The residents are encouraged to learn to take care of themselves and interact with each other. A key feature of the Home is that each cottage has a vegetable plot, enthusiastically tended by the residents and housemothers. The fresh produce from these gardens is used to supplement the Home's vegetable requirements.

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The seven cottages are:

• Bates Cottage: Named after Bikku Sumana’s original name, this cottage houses female residents.

• Prithi Cottage: This cottage also houses female residents.

• Rosy Cottage: Named after former Mrs. World Rosy Senanayake, who financed its construction, this cottage houses male residents.

• Canada Cottage: This cottage houses male residents.

• NORAD: Funded by NORAD Norway, this cottage houses male residents.

• Jayawardene Cottage: Dedicated to the Founder President, Dr. Gladys Jayewardene, this cottage houses males from children to adults.

• Nasima Cottage: We were fortunate to meet Mr. Salman Eliyas, who offered to upgrade our existing cottages and build a new one specifically to house the female residents because the current facilities were overcrowded. Our sincere thanks go to Mr. Salman Eliyas for his generosity - the cottage is named after his mother.

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The home's daily operations are managed by our Matron and a team of dedicated house mothers, who are in charge of the cottages. Their shared commitment, passion, and dedication create a safe and caring environment where residents are encouraged to build their independence.​​

We were also able to furnish both the new and upgraded buildings using the generous donations we received from the Will of the late Mrs. Vera Fonseka of Melbourne, which were arranged for us by her daughter, Irena Fonseka.

Our Team

The CFS Prithipura Home is governed by a dedicated group of successive Presidents and Executive Committee members who serve the organization on a completely voluntary basis. It is their guidance, along with a dedicated administrative office, that keeps the Home moving forward.

​The daily operation of the Home is managed by our Matron, who is supported by House Mothers directly in charge of the cottages. It is solely due to their commitment, passion, and dedication that the Home is able to maintain a safe, caring environment that encourages the residents to build independent personalities.

We are always on the lookout for committed individuals to join our team and help us in the capacity of developing the Home. If you have skills in areas like fundraising, organizational development, communications, or general home maintenance, and are interested in making a tangible difference to the lives of our residents, we encourage you to contact us to explore volunteering opportunities!

Executive Committee (2025/26)

• President: Mrs. Devika Anthonisz (+94 777 621 332)

• Vice President: Mrs. Indira Wettasinghe

• Secretary: Mrs Swun Kou Fernando

• Treasurer: Mr. Lakshman Rupasinghe

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Committee Members

• Ms. Minoli de Soysa

• Dr. Arundathi Kurukulasuriya

• Major Gen. Lohan Goonawardene

• Mrs. Renuka de Zoysa

Patrons

• Mrs. Rohini Yoheswaran

• Brigadier Ashoka Perera

• Mrs. Shanthini Perera

Photo : Left to Right

Back Row: Brigadier Asoka Perera (Patron), Lakshman Rupasinghe (Treasurer), Maj. Gen. Lohan Goonewardene.

Front Row: Renuka de Soyza, Minoli de Soysa, Devika Anthonisz (President), Indira Wettasinghe (Vice-President), Dr. Arundathi Kurukulasuriya, Swun-kou Fernando (Secretary).

Our Staff

Matron : Catherine Fernandez

The Home has been fortunate to have Catherine Fernandez as its Matron since June 2019. She joined us after a remarkable 25-year career and dedicated service as Matron of Hillwood College, Kandy. Her commitment to the residents, staff, and beloved pets of the Home is immeasurable and invaluable.

Teacher : Lakshika Fonseka

Lakshika Fonseka joined our Home in 2013 and currently functions as the Head Teacher at the Activity Centre, where she is assisted by Sameima Bohoran. Open from Monday to Friday, the Activity Centre offers residents a variety of enriching pursuits, encouraging them to draw, paint, write, sing, dance, cook, and participate in other activities designed to enhance their daily lives.

Lakshika brings specialized qualifications to her role, having completed courses in Special Education conducted by the Special Education Unit of the Western Province Education Department, as well as workshops held by the Chitra Lane school for the Special Child.