Amaliya Early Learning Centre is transforming hearing-impaired education in Sri Lanka, helping children develop speech and listening skills early. Over a decade, the Centre has empowered students to integrate successfully into mainstream schools.
Sri Lanka’s Amaliya Early Learning Centre leads in speech and listening development
The Amaliya Early Learning Centre for the Hearing Impaired (AELC) celebrated its 10th anniversary on 9th December 2025, marking a decade of exceptional work in early intervention, speech development, and specialized preschool education for children aged 0-5 years. Families, educators, and well-wishers gathered at the Amaliya Foundation in Colombo to honor the Centre’s milestones, accompanied by student performances, parent testimonials, and addresses from leading medical and educational professionals emphasizing the importance of early intervention.
Chief Guest Dr. Mihiri Rubasinghe, Consultant ENT Surgeon at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, and Guest of Honour Dr. Meera Suresh, Vice Principal of Balavidyalaya in Chennai, praised AELC’s structured approach in helping hearing-impaired children reach their full potential. The anniversary highlighted not just achievements, but also the enduring commitment of staff, parents, and the broader community to ensure every child receives a strong foundation for learning and social integration.
Speaking at the ceremony, Co-founder and Chairman Ajay Amalean said, “Hearing-impaired children and their parents walk a path that requires courage and early action. We urge parents to take advantage of the critical age of 0-3 years and utilize the child’s residual hearing to begin learning early. Our intensive structured curriculum lays the foundation for smooth integration into mainstream schools.”
Reflecting on the milestone, Director of the Amaliya Foundation and Principal of AELC, Nisha Amalean, added: “Every word spoken by a child who once could not hear is a triumph of patience, dedication, and love. Watching children blossom—learning to listen, to speak, and to belong—has been our greatest joy. Our commitment is to continue reaching families across Sri Lanka so no child is left behind simply because they were born without hearing.”
AELC remains the only institution in Sri Lanka using the Dhvani methodology for auditory-verbal education. Supported by a structured curriculum, the program develops listening skills, receptive language, and expressive speech, allowing children to confidently transition to mainstream classrooms. Over the past ten years, 85 children have successfully moved to mainstream schools, a testament to the effectiveness of early intervention.
The Centre offers a comprehensive Early Intervention Programme for infants and toddlers, followed by a Preschool Programme for children up to age 5. Instruction is available in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, employing activity-based learning, continuous assessments, small teacher-student ratios, and active parent involvement. This holistic approach ensures that speech and language skills are reinforced both at school and at home.
Founded in 2013 by the Amalean family, the Amaliya Foundation continues to expand access to early intervention programs for hearing-impaired children across Sri Lanka. By combining specialized methodologies, individualized instruction, and community support, AELC equips students to thrive academically and socially in mainstream education from Grade 1 onwards.
Over ten years, the Centre has become a beacon of innovation and compassion in Sri Lanka’s educational landscape, proving that early intervention, specialized guidance, and family engagement can transform the lives of hearing-impaired children. The story of AELC exemplifies how dedication, expertise, and inclusive strategies can create lasting impact, enabling children to not only listen and speak but to confidently participate in society.