The organization behind TrailSL, the Colours of Courage Trust (COC), a non-profit organization, has decided to relaunch its Hospital Project in the South aimed at establishing a cancer hospital at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital.
Following the success of Trail 2011, Trail 2016 – The Walk Back was held from Point Pedro to Dondra over 28 days to raise USD 5 million to provide some much-needed relief to the Cancer Unit at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle with a state-of-the-art extension, the Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital.
Trail 2016 achieved its goal of solidarity with over 250,000 people joining along the course and receiving the support of over 2.5 million people from various communities across Sri Lanka through donations and in-kind and has raised over Rs. 750 million at present.
Due to the pandemic and economic conditions prevailing in Sri Lanka, the cost estimated initially for the construction of the cancer treatment centre has increased significantly, nearly doubling, with the depreciation of the rupee and rising inflation.
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.
Utilizing 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. Upon fundraising further, COC will be working towards completing the remaining 5 floors.
Despite downsizing the scope in light of recent events, the project cost remains to be an overwhelming financial undertaking. Funds amounting to Rs. 750 million raised thus far have been utilized for the construction of the pile foundation and given current cost escalations, COC needs to readjust its goal to raise a further Rs. 2.2 billion.
The proposed Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital, designed as an auxiliary unit to the existing Cancer Unit at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, is a 10-storey cancer treatment facility complete with a Radiology unit, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Paediatric Ward, surgical ICU, 160-bed Oncology wards and Operating Theatres for which the foundation was completed up to the ground level.
Trail Cancer Hospital Project is a collaborative effort between Colours of Courage Trust (COC) and the Ministry of Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine of Sri Lanka (MOH) to create increased access to cancer care and upon completion, will serve the entire Southern province and its neighbouring districts.
Having decided to relaunch the South Hospital Project, the COC (TrailSL) intends to collect the remaining funds via donation. Those interested can make their donations to;
Colours of Courage Trust (Guarantee) Ltd
Account No: 003010491671
Bank: Hatton National Bank
Branch: Head office branch, TB Jaya Mawatha, Colombo 10
Swift Code: HBLILKLX (Newswire)
“We have relaunched the TrailSL hospital project to build a cancer hospital at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital. We collected funds before, but due to the pandemic and economic crisis, we require another Rs. 2.2 billion to complete the project,” said former cricketer and… pic.twitter.com/dB0lIRCmYa
— NewsWire 🇱🇰 (@NewsWireLK) January 30, 2025
