Accessibility Training at Lunuganga

In-line with our commitment to inclusivity, and as an initiative to improve accessibility within the properties — the Lunuganga garden staff have received (and will continue to do so) specialized training sessions led by experts from the Department of Disability Studies at the University of Kelaniya—Gayanthi Kodituwakku and Viranthi Kumarage. This concerted effort aims to address the marginalization faced by these communities, fostering an environment that embraces and accommodates individuals of all backgrounds. These initiatives will continue to be at the forefront of our work, through numerous efforts.

Chief Curator of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust in a series of essays curated by KoozArch highlights the efforts of the Bawa Trust:

“The question of fair play in the context of Sri Lanka, where the Geoffrey Bawa Trust is rooted, is inescapable — inequities and injustices permeate every aspect of life here, entrenched in our past and present. As an institution dedicated to fostering art, architecture, and ecology — per Bawa’s vision outlined when he established the Trust 40 years ago — we are optimally positioned to think about the fundamental requirements of these disciplines. There are many underserved communities in Sri Lanka, and those with physical and mental disabilities are a group that is especially neglected. In our current programme celebrating the 75^th year of Bawa’s garden Lunuganga, titled To Lunuganga, we use the lens of the garden to bring questions around accessibility to the fore. What does it mean as a cultural institution to provide access in terms of mobility, language, transport, and economy?”