Alert 9.O

 

 

Alert 9.0 is a humanitarian initiative introduced by Leo Club of the University of Colombo with the objective of supporting children who are affected by cancer. The first phase of the project, titled “Sihina Piyapath”, was successfully completed by 14th December 2025 with the aim of creating accessible and impactful awareness on cancer, with special emphasis on childhood cancers. This phase focused on educating society, encouraging early understanding, and fostering empathy through meaningful engagement.

The first segment of Sihina Piyapath was an educational podcast held at Apeksha Hospital on 9th October 2025, featuring Consultant Paediatric Oncologist Dr. Mahendra Somathilaka. The discussion highlighted common childhood cancers, their causes, early symptoms, and treatment options in a clear and simplified manner. To ensure wider reach and long-term accessibility, the podcast was shared on the UOC Leo Club YouTube channel, allowing the public to access reliable medical information beyond the event. 

The second initiative introduced “Prana” a short awareness film premiered on 15th October 2025 at Jayarathne Hall, Faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo. Acted by project team members and filmed in Hambantota, the film was the result of several days of dedicated effort and strong teamwork. Through compelling storytelling, Prana effectively delivered messages on cancer awareness to the university community and was later released on the UOC Leo YouTube platform to expand its impact.

The final initiative of Phase One extended awareness beyond enclosed spaces through a street drama series titled “Gahena Hadawath” performed at Viharamahadevi Park, Galle Face and Galle Fort, ensuring outreach beyond Colombo. In addition, a trilingual video series titled “1 Minute to Cure Cancer” was launched in Sinhala, English and Tamil to provide concise and accessible information for individuals with busy lifestyles.

With collective effort and dedication, the first phase of Alert 9.0 was brought to a successful close. The sincere support received from committee members and our resource persons reflected the impact of our work. Sihina Piyapath stands as a proud milestone, setting a hopeful foundation for the phases ahead.

 

 

1st