Able and the differently abled on a common platform

The Ballroom Dancers Federation International - Sri Lanka tuned in to a more meaningful concept - "Look beyond ourselves through dancing" - when they recently launched the Wheel Chair Dancers Association at the Concord Hotel.

Welcoming the guests - Nemantha Abeysinghe - National Director BDFI said the Wheel Chair Dancers Association will soon be affiliated to Asian Wheel Chair Federation.

The launch commenced with Nilanthi Perera - Vice Chairman, BDFI leading two differently abled soldiers to dance to a meaningful song in Sinhala.

The Secretary BDFI Subashini Dias Abeygunawardene quoted the song thus "In a few moments from now we take you to another world, the world of the forgotten and disillusioned. They have lost their dreams in life; just like the drought that destroys the harvest. The flowers in their garden have bloomed and then faded away. One day, these differently abled people will fade away without fulfilling their dreams" BDFI has stepped forward to sustain and fulfil their dreams.

The first President of the Wheel Chair Dancers Association - Deshamanya Dr. Hasitha Chandrasekera, then performed a Rhumba on the Wheel Chair, while octogenarian Dr. Nelie Fernando (retired Paediatrician) and Environmentalist Prasantha Dias Abeyegunawardene were wheeled in by BDFI Officials.

It was a poignant scene, when the able and the differently abled were wheeled to the Centre Table to light the Wheel Chair Lamps.

Mr. Saman Amerasinghe, Secretary to Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Chairman, National Sports Council and National Youth Award Authority in his keynote address congratulated the Ballroom Dancers Federation International for coming forth with such a humanitarian act through dancing. He pledged support of the Sports Ministry to promote dancing in different ways.