Inaugural ‘I See You Gala’ Raises Rs. 2.6 Million for Mental Health and Community Wellbeing

Inaugural ‘I See You Gala’ Raises Rs. 2.6 Million for Mental Health and Community Wellbeing

AI-generated illustration based on the supplied gala reference image; branding added for eLanka.

The inaugural I See You Gala, organised by the Infinite Grace Foundation, has raised Rs. 2.6 million through a live auction after bringing together approximately 300 guests in Colombo for an evening dedicated to mental health, education, rehabilitation and community wellbeing.

Reported by Newswire on 29 September 2026, the event represented an important step in the foundation’s intention to establish an annual occasion through which people, institutions and supporters can contribute to social-impact initiatives in a purposeful and sustained manner. Although the evening included music and an auction, its central significance lay in the causes that the funds will support and in the wider conversation surrounding care, dignity and social responsibility in Sri Lanka.

A fundraising evening built around purpose

The live auction was led by Dushyanth Weeraman and featured six lots, comprising four jewellery pieces, a sensory panel that had won a world record, and a commemorative plaque presented by singer Jeff Timmons.

The plaque had been signed by members of Timmons’ group and customised for the winning bidder, giving the item a personal character beyond its material value. The four jewellery pieces, together with the sensory panel and commemorative plaque, provided a varied collection of auction items, enabling guests to participate in the fundraising effort through different forms of contribution.

The Infinite Grace Foundation did not disclose the amoaunt raised by each individual lot. However, the combined total of Rs. 2.6 million demonstrated the willingness of attendees to support initiatives that address several interconnected areas of public wellbeing.

AI-generated illustration of a charity auction display; the objects shown are illustrative and do not represent the individual auction lots.

The auction also showed how formal community gatherings can be structured not merely as social occasions, but as platforms for practical assistance. When philanthropic events are carefully organised, the evening’s hospitality, entertainment and fellowship can be aligned with a clear social purpose, allowing participation to be transformed into direct support for people and communities requiring assistance.

Supporting mental health and community wellbeing

The foundation stated that the proceeds will support its work in mental health, education, prison rehabilitation and reintegration, humanitarian assistance and community wellbeing.

These areas reflect a broad understanding of social support, in which mental health is not treated in isolation but considered alongside education, family circumstances, rehabilitation, economic vulnerability and access to compassionate assistance. Such an approach is particularly significant as public discussion about mental health continues to develop in Sri Lanka, where greater awareness, early support and community-based understanding remain essential.

Mental health initiatives can help individuals and families to recognise the value of seeking assistance, while education programmes can strengthen opportunity and resilience. Prison rehabilitation and reintegration work, meanwhile, addresses the difficult transition faced by people returning to society, with constructive support capable of reducing isolation and encouraging renewed participation in family and community life.

Humanitarian assistance responds to immediate needs, whereas community wellbeing programmes can help build the longer-term networks through which people are heard, supported and connected. The combination of these priorities indicates that the Infinite Grace Foundation’s work extends beyond one-off relief, seeking instead to contribute to more durable forms of social care.

For readers seeking ongoing community information, eLanka’s news and articles section and useful links page provide additional avenues through which Sri Lankan communities and supporters can remain connected with positive initiatives.

Music and fellowship strengthened the evening

The programme included performances by Jeff Timmons, Stephanie Siriwardhana and Dushyanth Weeraman, accompanied by an orchestra. Stephanie Siriwardhana, the foundation’s founder and chair, also performed an original song during the evening.

The musical programme contributed to the atmosphere of fellowship, while also reinforcing the event’s wider message: social-impact work can be supported through occasions that are dignified, welcoming and inclusive. Music, formal dining and charitable giving were brought together without displacing the central purpose of the gala, which remained focused on strengthening the foundation’s ability to serve the community.

AI-generated illustration symbolising listening, care and community wellbeing.

The presence of performers and an orchestra helped create a memorable occasion for attendees, but the gala’s lasting value will ultimately be measured by how effectively the funds are directed towards the foundation’s stated programmes. In this respect, the event represents a beginning rather than a conclusion.

An annual tradition in the making

Stephanie Siriwardhana described the long-term intention behind the event in clear terms:

> “This was never created to be a one-night event. Our vision was to establish an annual tradition that brings people together every September.”

The statement places the inaugural gala within a broader vision of continuity. Annual traditions can become instrumental in community life because they provide a regular point of connection, encourage sustained participation and allow supporters to follow the progress of the causes they have helped to advance.

A recurring September gala could also create opportunities for more organisations, businesses and individuals to participate in future editions, whether through sponsorship, auction contributions, professional expertise or direct donations. With careful stewardship, such an event may become an established feature of Sri Lanka’s philanthropic calendar, while also encouraging similar initiatives that place community wellbeing at the centre of public engagement.

Siriwardhana further described the significance of the first event:

> “The inaugural Gala was our first chapter. Everyone who stood with us helped lay the foundation for something that will grow in reach, impact and purpose with every edition.”

The wording acknowledges that the event’s success was collective. The foundation’s work may be led by its organisers, but its effectiveness depends upon the participation of donors, guests, volunteers, partner organisations and the wider public. Philanthropy is strengthened when responsibility is shared and when supporters are able to see themselves as contributors to a continuing effort rather than as participants in a single evening.

A positive example of collective responsibility

The I See You Gala offers a positive example of how a community fundraising event can connect celebration with social responsibility. Its Rs. 2.6 million auction total, generated in the presence of 300 guests, will support work that reaches across mental health, education, rehabilitation, humanitarian assistance and community wellbeing.

The foundation’s decision to establish an annual tradition is equally important. Social challenges are rarely resolved through isolated interventions, and lasting progress generally requires consistent attention, responsible partnerships and the patience to build trust over time. A yearly gathering can help sustain that attention while ensuring that the causes remain visible within public conversation.

The inaugural event therefore stands as both a fundraising achievement and an invitation to continued involvement. Its emphasis on mental health and community wellbeing is timely, while its support for education, rehabilitation and humanitarian assistance reflects the breadth of need addressed by responsible charitable organisations.

As the Infinite Grace Foundation looks towards future editions, the first I See You Gala has provided a strong foundation: 300 guests gathered, six auction lots were presented, Rs. 2.6 million was raised, and a new annual tradition was introduced with the stated aim of expanding its reach, impact and purpose.

For Sri Lankan communities worldwide, such initiatives demonstrate the constructive influence that can be created when compassion is organised into action and when people come together not only to celebrate, but also to help build a healthier and more supportive society.

Source: https://www.newswire.lk/2026/09/29/i-see-you-gala-draws-300-guests-raises-rs-2-6-million-at-auction/

This article was written based on the source https://www.newswire.lk/2026/09/29/i-see-you-gala-draws-300-guests-raises-rs-2-6-million-at-auction/ , kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.

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