The Colours of Courage Trust, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Sri Lanka Army, has officially resumed construction of the Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital, a critical project aimed at enhancing cancer care in Sri Lanka. Following a commencement ceremony for Phase Two on 30 January 2025, the hospital’s construction is now on track for a 2026 completion.
The Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital is set to be a 10-storey facility that will greatly expand cancer treatment services in the Southern region. It will include a state-of-the-art Radiology Unit, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Paediatric Ward, Surgical ICU, Chemotherapy Unit, Operating Theatres, and 160 oncology beds. The hospital aims to provide much-needed relief for the increasing number of patients travelling from surrounding provinces to seek treatment at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital.
Founded in 2008 by Nathan Sivagananathan and Mahela Jayawardena, the Colours of Courage Trust has long been dedicated to improving cancer care facilities across Sri Lanka. The Trust has already made significant contributions, including the establishment of fully-equipped Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Units at the National Cancer Institute in Maharagama. The Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital Project is part of this ongoing effort to enhance cancer treatment infrastructure in the country.
The hospital’s construction is part of the broader Trail initiative, which began in 2011 with the goal of addressing cancer care challenges and promoting unity across Sri Lanka. Trail’s first major fundraising event was the 670 km walk across the country, which raised USD 2.6 million to build the Tellipalai Trail Cancer Hospital in Jaffna. This hospital has since treated nearly 800,000 patients. The success of this initiative laid the foundation for future projects, including the Karapitiya hospital.
The need for better cancer care in the Southern province was highlighted in 2015 when the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital recorded its highest number of cancer-related deaths at the time. This prompted the Trust to launch “Trail 2016 – The Walk Back,” a nationwide walk that raised LKR 750 million to expand cancer care services at Karapitiya. Despite a series of setbacks, including delays in government funding, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic crisis, the project has resumed, with Phase Two now underway.
“We are excited that this project is officially resuming after unavoidable construction delays,” said Nathan Sivagananathan, co-founder of the Colours of Courage Trust. “We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from the Ministry of Health and the Sri Lanka Army, who have pledged their full assistance, including voluntary labour and technical expertise.”
While the project’s scope has been adjusted in light of recent challenges, the financial requirements remain significant. The LKR 750 million raised so far has been allocated to Phase One of the project, but the Trust now requires an additional LKR 2.2 billion to complete the construction. With the project’s resumption, the Colours of Courage Trust is once again appealing to the public for support as they work to ensure that high-quality cancer care is accessible to all.
The Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital is a vital project that will serve not only the Southern province but also set a new standard for cancer treatment in Sri Lanka. The hospital will provide advanced cancer care and make a significant contribution to the national healthcare system, improving access to critical services for thousands of patients across the country.
