Heralding a new age of cancer treatment in Sri Lanka

The Colours of Courage Trust, established in 2008 with the aim of addressing the needs of the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama, last week marked the completion of its second project, a state-of-the-art Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at Sri Lanka’s premier public cancer facility.

The ‘R Senathi Rajah Surgical Intensive Care Unit’ has been named after the Trust’s first chairman, the late R. Senathi Rajah, a former Senior Partner of Julius and Creasy – Attorneys at Law. R. Senathi Rajah was instrumental in guiding the Trust’s activities since its inception whilst rendering an immense personal contribution through his visionary leadership.

With an investment of over Rs. 22 million the newly constructed SICU will facilitate the expansion plans of the hospital via increasing the number of beds available for post – operative care from three to six beds, whilst decreasing the number of transfers to the National Hospital for ICU care.

The HNB Sustainability Fund has come forward as a willing partner contributing Rs. 10 million towards the project – aiding the trust in its endeavour to improve the health infrastructure for cancer patients in Sri Lanka.

“Today marks one step forward in our journey as a nation to fight a battle against a disease that ravages many lives. We believe this new facility will bring hope to many and the HNB Sustainability Fund is proud to partner such an initiative,” remarked Managing Director/CEO of HNB, R. Theagarajah.

Speaking about the initiative, Dian Gomes, a Trustee of the Colours of Courage Trust said: “The new SICU at the National Cancer Institute has been made possible due to the generosity and dedication of many Sri Lankans coming together for one cause. It is our hope that it will be one among many projects geared towards creating hope and courage for the many that suffer from cancer in our country.”

The Colours of Courage Trust has to date also completed the development of a Medical Intensive Care Unit at the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama with an investment of over Rs. 55 million.

The facility opened in 2011 has been successful in addressing an urgent need for the hospital. Among other projects undertaken by the Trust, ‘Trail – A Journey by the Living. For Life’ launched in 2011, saw over 30,000 Sri Lankans take to the streets for a walk spanning the 670 kilometres from Dondra to Point Pedro. The project successfully raised over US$ 1.6 million towards the construction of a cancer unit in Jaffna. The project which is currently underway is due to be completed in 2014.

“Since its inception in 2008, the Colours of Courage Trust has embarked on a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening cancer treatment infrastructure on the island. What has been strikingly clear to us is the power within all of us to make a difference and what we as one can achieve. We encourage all Sri Lankans to join us in our fight against cancer,” said Nathan Sivagananathan, a Trustee of the Colours of Courage Trust.

To partner with the Colours of Courage Trust in their fight against cancer please visit www.coloursofcourage.com or www.trailsl.com.

Pix by Daminda Harsha Perera