Dance show in aid of Karapitiya Hospice project
Dr. Udumbara Sevwandi Kumari
Dr. Udumbara Sevwandi Kumari will present ‘Induwara Nupura – Anklets of Blue Lotus’, a classical and free style dance concert, on July 14 at 5.30 p.m at the Medical Faculty Auditorium, Karapitiya, Galle to raise funds for the new hospice project for cancer patients in Karapitiya, Galle. When complete, the Karapitiya Hospice will provide physical and psychological care for cancer patients in need of prolonged attention.
The project is an initiative of the Galle Branch of the Sri Lanka Cancer Society supported by the Lions Club of Galle City New Century. Tickets for the show priced at Rs 500 and 1000 are available at the Galle Branch of the Sri Lanka Cancer Society at 1st Lane, Karapitiya, Galle and at the entrance on the day of the event.
As a doctor at the Base Hospital, Elpitiya, Dr. Udumbara, a Visharad in classical Bharatha Natyam says her passion is to help patients. She has moved to use her skills as a dancer to raise awareness of the need for a loving and caring environment for cancer patients. “More than ticket sales my aim is to spread the message to society so that they would make direct donations to the Sri Lanka Cancer Society,” said Dr. Udumbara. Dr. Udumbara lost her mother to cancer when she was a final year medical student.
The first act, ‘Saraswathi Pooja’ has been choregraphed by Dr. Udumbara with music direction of Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe and is vocalized by Sangeeth Nipun Sadana Ranatunga. Dr. Chathuranga Lakmal Fonseka, a junior lecturer at the Karapitiya Faculty of Medicine will also perform.
Many organizations and individuals have contributed to the Karapitiya hospice project, but the Sri Lanka Cancer Society needs Rs. 40 million more, Vice Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cancer Society branch in Galle, Jayarathna Malwenna says. A plot of land close to the Hospital has been donated by Pulina Karunarathne for this project. Construction of the first stage of the hospice will begin on August 15 and after the completion of two floors of the building, they hope to accommodate 25 to 30 patients. The Hospice will function under the voluntary supervision of Dr. Upul Ekanayake and Dr. Krishantha Perera.