• Consultant and trainer and visually impaired person Tilan Wijeyesekera on the challenges of being visually impaired 

At least 2.2 billion people around the world live with some form of near or distance vision loss, and about one billion of those cases could have been prevented or treated with timely care. In Sri Lanka, surveys show that around 1.6-1.7 per cent of adults above 40 experience blindness, with many more living with significant visual impairment — a challenge that extends far beyond eyesight, touching education, employment and inclusion. 

A sales and marketing professional who changed course and became a banker, Tilan Wijeyesekera, was at the height of his career as a deputy general manager (DGM) in retail banking when he began to lose his sight. He was 39. He quit his job at 42 and given the progressive nature of the impairment, is one step away from being legally blind. 

Now visually impaired but working as a consultant and trainer, Wijeyesekera brings on a dose of reality on what it is like to be visually impaired.

Following are excerpts of the interview: 

What was it like having your sight and then losing it progressively? What was the most significant change that you experienced?

The first thing was shock. And then, the ‘why me’ phase. When this first started, I was working as a DGM in a bank. I worked across departments. I was hardcore, almost a workaholic. I was ultra-passionate about what I did. And then, not understanding how life would turn out, I decided to quit my corporate life. 

In the next phase, when I started to lose the ability to read and write, that was very hard, because I realised that a part of my independence was going away. Then, I started losing the ability to recognise people. I would walk into a supermarket or a restaurant, and people would look at me, but I wouldn’t know how to socialise because I didn’t see them. 

Also, I’m a divorced father. I remember the first few times of going to pick up my son from school at S. Thomas’ College. I wondered how I’d be able to see him, pick him out of a crowd, so I used to stand right in front of the gate waiting for him to spot me. 

These were all different kinds of challenges that I started facing, and I was constantly wondering what my future would hold for me.

What do most communities misunderstand about visual impairment?

The biggest problem is that many don’t understand the difference between being blind and being visually impaired. Being visually impaired is different to being blind. For example, I’m one step away from being legally blind. Being legally blind doesn’t mean that it’s completely dark and that you automatically wear a pair of shades and carry a white cane. 

However, I have thought seriously about using a white cane because crossing a road is a huge challenge for me. It’s not always about whether I can see or not. Sometimes, I can see, but, it’s still dangerous. What matters is giving other people an indication that something is wrong. 

For people like me who are visually impaired, the biggest issue is that people think that we’re pretending or exaggerating, because they see us walking, climbing stairs, and moving around. I manage because I have peripheral vision, but, I don’t have central vision. That means that I can’t read, write, or recognise faces properly. Because of this misunderstanding, people don’t empathise and we can’t get assistance in some places because people simply don’t understand what visual impairment actually is.

In your experience, what are the biggest barriers to creating awareness about the needs of visually impaired people?

It’s the lack of opportunities to create awareness and understanding. People lack empathy. They don’t truly understand what visual impairment is. I’ve been fortunate because I have my own digital platform and a following, so I’m able to communicate these issues. But, many people living with visual impairment don’t have that access or ability to create awareness. Giving them opportunities to speak, to explain what visual impairment is, and helping others understand how to empathise and assist — that’s where we fall short.

Where do communities and public spaces fall short in accommodating people with visual impairments?

A lot of people think that it’s about infrastructure — tactile paving, sound-based traffic signals, announcements on trains and buses. Those things are important, and we don’t have enough of them in Sri Lanka. But, for me, it’s not the infrastructure. It’s the mindset.

Communities, organisations, Government institutions, and corporates don’t really understand what visual impairment or disability is. They have policies, but, those policies sit in a file somewhere. They’re shut down, not practised. It becomes part of corporate social responsibility or corporate communications, but, not real action. The first thing that we need is a shift in mindset — understanding disabilities and knowing how to approach and support people properly.

How could schools, workplaces, and public transport be better designed to support inclusion?

Infrastructure matters — tactile paving, announcements, alarms, sound-based systems, assistive technology, artificial intelligence, navigation tools. All of that can help. But, it comes back to the mindset. In other countries, Government departments and schools have a disability officer. In Sri Lanka, we don’t have that structure or that mental space. We need awareness, understanding, and proper policies in place to truly facilitate inclusion.

What policy changes would you like to see to ensure a meaningful impact?

During the last Election, when a visually impaired or totally blind candidate came forward, the disability community was hopeful. We thought, ‘Wow. Finally, here’s someone who represents us’. But, I don’t see real progress. Policies aren’t changing fast enough. 

There’s a difference between charity and sustainability. Giving someone a small allowance isn’t a sustainable solution. In Sri Lanka, there’s a policy for 3% of Government sector employment to be reserved for persons with disabilities. How many institutions actually meet that? Almost none. 

In other countries, the private sector gets incentives and tax breaks for employing people with disabilities. That’s not charity — it’s smart economics. When people with impairments work, they contribute to society instead of depending on handouts. These policies shouldn’t appear only during election seasons.  Empower the community, create sustainability, and enable long-term impact.

Why is there a perception that visually impaired people are always at the lower end of the income scale?

It’s very sad, because it’s not true. I’m a good example. I earn well. I sit on public and private company boards, do consultancy, training, start-ups — I contribute. There are people far more talented than me, but, they don’t have access, training, or the mindset shift needed to contribute. There’s a lack of infrastructure and genuine support. 

Corporate Sri Lanka talks about inclusivity, but often, it’s just communication. Inclusivity is still limited to women’s empowerment, which is important, but, what about everyone else? We need inclusivity audits and accountability. You shouldn’t be able to talk about inclusivity unless you’re actually practising it.

How has your regressive sight affected your work abilities?

I’ve improved. I’m better than I ever was. The lack of eyesight is a huge challenge, but, mentally and professionally, I’ve grown. I moved from corporate life into startups, consultancy, and international exposure. I saw how world-class organisations operate, and now I bring those learnings back to corporates. When I speak about strategy, branding, leadership, and self-leadership, it comes with that global perspective shaped by what I’ve been through. I can genuinely change lives now. 

How do we change community attitudes?

By creating awareness and real engagement. Policies can’t stay in drawers. We need inclusivity audits and engagement with corporates and government institutions and honest conversations about value — not charity. People with disabilities should be represented at every level, including leadership and executive roles. This is about empathy, not sympathy. And people with disabilities, once empowered, are often more passionate and loyal because they value the opportunity.

If you were to build an ideal community, what would it look like?

It would be a place where people understand. I’ve been to hospitals, hotels, restaurants — places where you’d expect empathy — and often, it’s missing. I’d love a society where people identify someone who needs assistance and helps, not out of sympathy, but empathy. 

For me, it’s not infrastructure first. It’s a mindset shift — understanding what different communities go through and adjusting behaviour accordingly.

If you were to lose your sight completely, how would that change you and what you do?

It would be very tough. Right now, I’m totally independent. I live alone, I navigate using assistive technology. But, complete darkness is a different game. Still, just as I adapted from full sight to partial sight, I’ll have to improve again. 

What is the one message you would want Sri Lankans to understand about living with visual impairment?

Try to empathise. Understand what another person goes through. In many spaces, people don’t help — not because they’re bad, but because they don’t understand. What people want is not sympathy, but empathy and support. Be a good Samaritan. Try to understand and offer help when needed.

The writer is the host, director, and co-producer of the weekly digital programme ‘Kaleidoscope with Savithri Rodrigo’ which can be viewed on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. She has over three decades of experience in print, electronic, and social media

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The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication