The definition of a complete human being is often coupled with appearance. While emotions, feelings and the rest of the processes work behind the scenes, the appearance definitely matters most. But this appearance is often challenged with complications such as birth defects or even illnesses. 

One such illness that deteriorates your appearance is cancer. Taking an upper hand to assist those in need, professional hairstylist Lalith Dharmawardana has dedicated his time to make wigs for those who have lost their hair to cancer. Working in collaboration with Ramani Fernando Salons, Lalith believes that through this cause he is able to bring those patients back to their normal selves.  

“I have been working as a professional hairstylist for the past 42 years,”

says Lalith, speaking to us about his humanitarian effort. 

“Hence I have worked with many film directors starting from Lester James Peries. In addition to local films, I have worked on the sets of international films as well. This is not the profession that I dreamt of. I initially worked at a bank but I wasn’t happy working there. Then I started working as an assistant makeup artist with Reggie De Silva and then became Malini Fonseka’s personal hairdresser and that’s where I started my career.”

Speaking about how he started making wigs, Lalith recalled memories of his late mother. 

“My mother was my only friend at the time but she passed away in 1999 because of cancer. On that day, I thought I should do something for her and by that time I was already doing a wig business. But those wigs were for those losing their hair and not particularly for cancer patients. When I started, there weren’t many people interested in donating their hair or a place for us to get natural hair. So I had to go to Chennai to purchase natural hair for wigs. As times changed, there were places to buy hair in Sri Lanka but they were artificial hair. I don’t do this project as a major business but there’s a high demand. Some doctors directly refer their patients to me and these customers recommend me to others. People find out about Salon LD mainly through word-of-mouth.” 

Currently Lalith works with Ramani Fernando Salons in donating wigs for patients suffering from cancer. 

“We take a photo of a patient before undergoing treatments and losing hair and then fix the wig according to that photo. Sometimes we have to steam and apply hair colour as well. When donating the wig, we instruct them on how to use it and if they need a repair we do that free-of-charge. There are patients who are employed, mothers who haven’t revealed their illness to children and others who are desperate to look as normal as they could.”

“I was referred to Ramani Fernando by an employee in my salon and she introduced me to Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya,”

says Lalith speaking about his latest venture. 

“That’s how the Cancer Care Trust discovered me. Thereafter Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya and Dr. Samadhi Rajapakse called me over to the Maharagama Cancer hospital and got details about how I make wigs. In order to make a wig, I need around 300 grams of hair and then I took some wigs and showed them. Last month, we signed an agreement at the Cancer Care Trust and we launched the event at the Ramani Fernando Salon. So the hair that is being cut at the RF Salons will be handed over to the CCT and then the doctors categorise them and bring it over to us and we complete the process from this end. We donate hair to patients on the 15th and 30th of every month.”

In his concluding remarks, Lalith said, 

“I have taken up many challenges while doing films but this is the biggest challenge so far. I would also like to thank Dr. Samadhi and Dr. Lanka for giving me this opportunity. Those who like to donate are more than welcome to dedicate eight inches of their hair for this worthy cause.”

If you’re interested to donate your hair, simply fix an appointment at any of the Ramani Fernando Salon or contact Lalith on 0777 354 586 for more details. 

Pics by Damith Wickramasinghe