The Blue Rose, a Day School & Training Centre, for the mentally disabled, is situated in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Late Mr. Mervin Alles introduced the idea of a school to his Lordship Bishop Vianey Fernando the Bishop of Kandy, who in turn made available a premise at the St Anthony’s Cathedral Kandy to start the school in 1981. Florence David was the first Principal of the school with Shayama David as th
e first student. However, with the increasing number of children from time to time, the school had to be relocated several times. The SCI-SL itself with Mr. Rajudeen as the National Secretary took part in the project in spite of several criticisms of the general membership of SCI saying that the no branch of SCI should get itself involved in such projects on a permanent basis. The SCI-SL helped with funds for running of the school but no funding organization was willing to provide funds for a permanent building unless the project had its own land. Fortunately, Mr. Lakshman Wijekoon, a dedicated volunteer, happened to mention of the need of a land to one of his bank clients, Dr.Cooray, who later donated the land in 1995 where the present Blue Rose building is situated. Thanks to Dr. H.W.M.Cooray and Mrs. D.E.C.M.Cooray. Today there are 40 registered students, six regular teachers and two part-time instructors for dancing and music. Expert foreign volunteers, particularly from Belgium, Spain, Germany, Slovenia, Finland, etc. have worked for periods ranging from 2 years to six weeks, for the benefit of these special need students. The school has been registered with the Central Provincial Council and with the Department of Social Services and is managed by the Blue Rose Welfare Society which is represented by the parents, teachers, professionals and members of the SCI.
