12 May 2026 | BY Buddhika Samaraweera
An islandwide autism awareness initiative aimed at creating a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest sensory board will take place in Colombo this month, bringing together participants from across Sri Lanka through a project that combines art, sustainability, and public participation.
Organised by the Tree House International, the initiative is titled Merak 2026. It is expected to culminate in a large-scale public installation at the BMICH in Colombo on 16 and 17 May, where the completed sensory board will be measured for a Guinness World Record attempt.
The effort is designed to expand public understanding of autism and how individuals on the spectrum experience sensory environments.
Tree House International Director Dr. Anton James spoke to Brunch about the project.
Following are excerpts from the interview:
Merak is a charity focused on autism awareness and sustainability, built around a powerful idea. The word “Merak”, which comes from Serbian, refers to the sense of joy found in small, everyday experiences. That idea connects closely with autism. For many autistic individuals, simple sensory activities, such as engaging with textures or repetitive movement, can bring comfort and a sense of regulation. The name also reflects individuality. Just as the word itself does not have a direct translation, every person on the autism spectrum is different, with their own strengths and challenges. Merak began as a national movement in 2023, bringing together over 1,600 participants for a beach clean-up in Mount Lavinia to support autism awareness.
In 2025, it was formally set up as a charity and now operates as the charitable arm of The Tree House International, continuing its work in both awareness and environmental sustainability.
What is Merak 2026, particularly the world’s longest sensory board about?
Merak 2026 is Sri Lanka’s largest autism awareness initiative so far. Its main feature is an effort to build the world’s longest sensory board, turning a short-term campaign into something that continues throughout the year. The project is carried out in four phases. It begins with environmental work, including coastal clean-ups, which shaped the direction of the initiative and brought sustainability into its design. In the second phase, individuals and organisations across the country create sensory boards using recycled, natural, and commercially available materials. Each board includes interactive elements such as textures and movement.
For the first time, these boards are also designed as artworks, with each one telling a story about autism and inclusion. The third phase will take place on 16 and 17 May at the BMICH, where all boards will be assembled into one continuous installation. A Guinness adjudicator will be present to measure the total length. The minimum requirement is 50 metres, and the target is 60 metres. In the final phase, selected boards will be taken overseas to continue raising awareness.
What is a sensory board, and what is its significance for autism?
A sensory board is a tool used to support autistic individuals with focus, engagement, and emotional regulation. It combines different textures and interactive elements that stimulate the senses and help develop coordination and basic motor skills. Autistic children often experience the world differently when it comes to sensory input. Some may be more sensitive, others less. These differences can make everyday environments difficult at times. Sensory boards offer a structured way to explore and manage those experiences.
They usually include materials such as fabric, wood, or metal, along with items like locks, switches, and zippers. There is no fixed design, as each individual responds differently. In this project, that idea has been taken further. Instead of placing elements randomly, each board is designed as an artwork, with sensory components built into the design. Each one carries a message.
This approach, known as the Merak style sensory board, moves away from purely clinical use and turns these boards into something the public can engage with, making sensory experiences more visible and easier to understand.
How are you creating the sensory board, and who is involved?
The project has drawn participation from across the country, from Jaffna to Galle and from Colombo to Batticaloa. It includes individuals, private and public sector organisations, schools, parents, charities, artists, embassies, and international partners, including the Ministry of Education in the Maldives. One of the key ideas behind the project is to reach people who do not usually engage with autism awareness. By bringing in art, it attracts a different audience. People may come for the creative aspect, but in the process they are introduced to autism in a meaningful way. Participants are not just observers. Each person designs their own board, and decides how to arrange the sensory elements and what message to convey. This creates a deeper level of engagement. The project also gives emerging artists a platform, with their work displayed at a national level and the possibility of being showcased internationally.
What is the significance of the Guinness Record?
In Sri Lanka, autism awareness does not always reach communities outside urban areas, where stigma can still exist. It also does not receive consistent attention in the media. The Guinness Record changes that. It brings national and international attention. It will turn autism into a story that reaches a wider audience. It also creates curiosity. When people hear about the world’s longest sensory board, they begin to ask questions. That curiosity becomes an entry point to learning about autism. When combined with art, the impact becomes stronger. It draws in people who may not usually engage with the topic and gives them a way to connect with it. In that sense, the record itself is not the main goal. It is a tool to expand awareness and carry the conversation into places that are harder to reach.
The goal is simple. At least one person in every household should understand what autism is. Merak 2026 is one step towards that. It aims to move awareness beyond limited campaigns and into everyday conversation. This is not a one-off effort. Smaller community events will continue throughout the year, alongside larger national initiatives. The idea is to keep the conversation going.
How important is it to have autism awareness events?
Creating real change in awareness requires both intention and the ability to act at scale. When those do not come together, progress can be slow. There have been cases where families have left the country due to limited support for children with autism. Addressing that requires more than services. It requires a shift in how society understands autism. Private organisations like us can support that process. They have the flexibility to try new approaches and the capacity to organise large-scale initiatives.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way?
One of the main challenges has been defining what qualifies as a sensory board under Guinness requirements. There is no single standard, and reaching agreement took nearly two years. Another challenge has been balancing science and art. The boards need to function as sensory tools and also to carry messages about autism and sustainability. Maintaining consistency has also been difficult. Even with clear guidelines, participants may interpret them differently. At the same time, creativity needs to be preserved.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned during the process?
The process has shown how willing people are to come together when given the opportunity to be part of something meaningful, especially when there is a sense of national pride. It has also shown the importance of clear planning when managing a project of this scale. The approach used here can be applied to other initiatives as well, bringing together structure and community participation to create lasting impact.
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