Karunawathi is her name.
It means "The Compassionate woman"
Her full name is Manthrie Dewage Karunawathi. She is 59 years old and lives in Galewela in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, just off the Colombo – Anuradhapura road.
She is suffering from a very rare disease which has deprived her of the left half of her face, including the left eye and the left ear. The muscles have decayed and the left part of the lips also have been decayed exposing her teeth.
Until September 28th 2010, she had been leading a very normal life and had been a healthy lady who worked in a quarry, to find money in order to meet her day to day expenses. With her earnings, she also met the education expenses of her only son, who was studying in the University reading for the Degree of Performing Arts during that time. Her husband had passed away in the year 2008.
MoreMrs. Karunawathi was taken for surgery to reconstruct her wasted face at 8 am yesterday, 6th December 2011.
A large team of committed and eminent doctors, led by the Consultant Surgeon Dr. Dilip Perera worked for more than 12 hours straight on this surgery. The nursing and the attending staff were incomparable in their attention to detail and care.
The Doctors say that the first 24 hours the patient would be under strict observation.
It was heart warming to note the concern shown by well wishers who regularly during the operation kept calling for information of the progress.
Mrs. Karunawathi's son Suranga and several members of the Kalyana Mithra team including Rev. Walasmulle Jinarathana Thero who was the individual behind this entire project was at the National Hospital in Colombo yesterday, in anticipation of Mrs. Karunawathi's speedy recovery.
More
If you are contributing particularly within Sri Lanka, please make your contribution to the following bank account:
Name: G. G. S. Amarasinghe
Account Number: 5853124
Bank: Bank of Ceylon
Branch: Galewela
SWIFT Address : BCEYLKLX
If you are particularly from outside Sri Lanka, you may find it convenient to make your contributions using credit cards or PayPal using the following button: