On the ‘trail’ again to complete phase 2 of specialty cancer hospital

 A small step took its first major leap in 2011, when Trail was founded to reframe issues surrounding ethnic division and unite people for the shared goal of developing the country’s cancer-care landscape​ Founders of Colours of Courage Trust, Nathan Sivagananathan (left) and Mahela Jayawardena speaking at the press conference held recently, officially announcing the commencement of phase two construction of the Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital Project (file photo)

• This groundbreaking new multistoried cancer treatment centre, will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment 
•  The first Trail walk was the largest crowd funding initiative in the country and had over 30,000 participants

Colours of Courage (COC) Trust in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sri Lanka Army resumes the second phase of constructing the Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital Project.

COC, the organisation behind ‘Trail’ is a non-profit organisation dedicated to uplifting treatment facilities at the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama. It was founded in 2008 by Nathan Sivagananathan and Mahela Jayawardena with a vision of bringing communities together to enhance cancer care in Sri Lanka. What began as a simple step, evolved into a nation-wide movement, proving that when people unite for a cause, they can make a lasting impact.

This small step took its first major leap in 2011, when Trail was founded to reframe issues surrounding ethnic division and unite people for the shared goal of developing the country’s cancer-care landscape. The first Trail walk was the largest crowd funding initiative in the country at the time and had over 30,000 participants walk from Dondra Head to Point Pedro in 27 days; the initiative raised 2.6 million US$ required to build the Tellipalai Trail Cancer Hospital in Jaffna. Since its opening in 2014, the hospital has provided critical cancer care treatment to over 800,000 patients. 

Building on the success of Trail 2011, and the fact that in 2015 the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital recorded its highest number of cancer-related deaths at the time, the COC Trust decided that there was an urgent need for high-quality cancer care in the South as well. 

Trail 2016 - The Walk Back was initiated -this time from Point Pedro to Dondra Head with over 250,000 participants and the support of over 2.5 million donors raising LKR 750 million to expand the cancer treatment facility at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle. 

Unprecedented delays 

The pandemic, economic crisis and other unprecedented delays temporarily stalled the project from moving forward as scheduled, but the COC Trust has now confirmed that following the commencement ceremony for phase 2 construction of the specialty cancer hospital, work will resume to meet the new completion time which is set for 2026.

“Despite many challenges, this initiative still remains unwavering in its mission with the support of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defence and the Sri Lankan Army, and the team is now ready to take the next step in making quality cancer care accessible to all. Intended as an auxiliary unit of the existing Cancer Unit at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, this groundbreaking new multistoried cancer treatment facility, will be equipped with a state-of-the-art Radiology Unit, Pediatric Ward, ICU, Chemotherapy Unit, Operating Theatres, and 180-bed Oncology wards - providing much-needed relief and medical care for the increasing influx of patients who travel from the surrounding provinces to seek treatment.” COC stated. 

Nathan Sivagananathan, a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of Colours of Courage Trust, said that that the walk became more of a ‘peace movement’ as there was no division between the North and the South, amidst the gathering for a common cause. “The previous fundraising initiatives were truly successful and we also got approval from the new Government to commence the construction of the hospital. The foundation is already laid and phase two is the building that will come up and we hope to complete the project towards the end of 2026,” he remarked.
Mahela Jayawardena, former national cricket star and co-founder of Colours of Courage Trust explained, “This is a project quite close to our hearts since both Nathan and I faced personal tragedies in our families due to cancer. It is important to understand that it’s not only the individual who endures the pain, but also the entire family. Both the economic and social structure collapses as part of the chain reaction since the illness takes a long time to be treated. We wanted to re-launch the project and raise the balance of the sum needed to complete the construction. Overall, we are confident because of the support we received during the previous walks and we hope that individuals who contributed at the time will be able to do so again since they all knew the impact we made in the lives of our people”.

A press release issued by the trust further stated that the total estimated cost of construction would be LKR 2.2 billion. Due to the current economic conditions in Sri Lanka, the cost estimated initially for the construction of the cancer treatment center has increased significantly, nearly doubling, with the rising inflation. Therefore, following careful deliberation and discussions, the Board of COC and the Ministry of Health have decided to revise the scope of the treatment facility based on the availability of funds to ensure the completion of the project. Utilising funds raised thus far, COC will be completing 5 floors out of the previously intended 10 floors and building the shell of the remaining floors. 

“This is a project quite close to our hearts since both Nathan and I faced personal tragedies in our families due to cancer. It is important to understand that it’s not only the individual who endures the pain, but also the entire family. We wanted to re-launch the project and raise the balance of the sum needed to complete the construction”
- Mahela Jayawardena, 
Former cricket star and co-founder Colours of Courage Trust

“The previous fundraising initiatives were truly successful and we also got approval from the new Government to commence the construction of the hospital. The foundation is already laid and phase two is the building that will come up and we hope to complete the project towards the end of 2026”
- Nathan Sivagananathan, co-founder Colours of 
Courage Trust

COC remarked “This project is more than simply constructing a hospital; it is about ensuring that no patient in Sri Lanka has to fight this battle alone, that everyone has access to the care they deserve. As we embark on this next phase, let us remember that every step taken, every contribution made and every voice raised brings us closer to the future where cancer care knows no boundaries.”

Donations for this cause can be made through the official Colours of Courage Trust website (through the donation of construction materials and hospital equipment).

More information about the project can be obtained by logging onto [email protected]