RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO — The Tree House International School hosted an awards ceremony to mark the successful completion of its Behaviour Therapy Training Programme. The event was held at The Kingsbury Hotel on Saturday, April 25, under the patronage of the Founder and Director of the school, Dr. Anton James.
The Tree House International, Sri Lanka’s only international school dedicated exclusively to students with special needs, celebrated the graduation of its 2025 cohort of behaviour therapy students from the theory programme. This milestone represents a significant expansion of regulated behaviour therapy in Sri Lanka, delivered in collaboration with the International Behaviour Analysis Organisation.
Behaviour therapy, based on Applied Behaviour Analysis, is widely recognised as one of the most effective, evidence-based interventions for autism.
The school stands as a model of excellence in evidence-based and compassionate education, representing innovation and inclusion in the region. It is redefining special needs education in Sri Lanka by combining scientific precision with empathy. Drawing from both British and American educational systems, the institution delivers a transformative learning experience tailored to each student’s unique abilities and goals.
The Tree House International is led by a team of highly qualified professionals, including Sri Lanka’s only Chartered Educational Assessor, Chartered Behavioural Psychologist, Board Certified Behaviour Analysts, and Chartered Scientist in Education.
Dr. Anton James highlighted the school’s growing international recognition, noting that over 80 percent of its students relocate from around the world to study there. He pointed out that in Sri Lanka, families who can afford it often send their children abroad, particularly when specialised support is required. However, The Tree House International has reversed this trend, attracting students to Sri Lanka from across the globe—from Fiji in the East to the Caribbean in the West, and from Russia in the North to the Maldives in the South.
He also emphasised the school’s pioneering role in introducing regulated behaviour therapy to Sri Lanka through its collaboration with the International Behaviour Analysis Organisation. Additionally, it remains the only school in the country approved to offer the Functional Skills curriculum, a programme designed specifically for children with special needs and recognised by the UK Government.
The guests included the Visiting Professor in Psychiatry and Biomedical Research at the Faculty of Medicine, Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka. Prof. Sumathipala, Dr. Azyan Shafeek, Ms. Lasanthika Madushani, Dr. Jayaseelan, Dr. Samaraweera, and Ms. Peiris were also present.
As part of the awards ceremony, guests also took part in a cake-cutting and the event was attended by professionals, families, and students.
