Team of Inner Wheel Club, Colombo West, District 322 on their visit to M H Omar Liver Care Facility and met with the medical team at M H Omar Liver Care Facility – CNCLD, led by Professor Rohan Siriwardana on 18th August 2025.
Dr. Meranthi Fernando, Consultant Paediatrician and Senior Lecturer is addressing the AGM of Inner Wheel Club, Colombo West, District 322 explaining the services by CNCLD
Team of Inner Wheel Club, Colombo West, District 322 donating essential equipment and consumables to uplift the pediatric liver transplant program
The paediatric liver transplant program at the M H Omar Liver Care Facility of the Colombo North Centre for Liver Diseases (CNCLD), Ragama, has received another invaluable lifeline thanks to the generosity of the Inner Wheel Club, Colombo West, District 322. This donation marks a significant contribution towards sustaining a highly complex, life-saving treatment that has become a beacon of hope for Sri Lankan children suffering from critical liver conditions.
Deadly liver diseases such as acute liver failure and cirrhosis do not spare the youngest of patients. For some children, the only way forward is a liver transplant. It is estimated that nearly 40 children in Sri Lanka require this procedure every year. In affluent countries, paediatric liver transplantation has been a standard healthcare service for decades, but it only became a reality for Sri Lankan children in 2020. Since then, CNCLD Ragama has been the sole national centre performing paediatric liver transplants, catering to referrals from across the island.
A liver transplant is more than a medical procedure; it is a second chance at life. These children, once cured, have the opportunity to grow into healthy, productive citizens who can contribute meaningfully to the nation. A powerful testament to this reality is the very first child who underwent a liver transplant in Sri Lanka in 2020. Today, she is a thriving adolescent, attending school, full of promise, and ready to give back to her country. Stories like hers underscore why investments in this program are not only lifesaving but also cost-effective for the nation in the long run.
However, the road to recovery is neither simple nor inexpensive. The surgery itself, along with the intensive pre- and post-operative care required, involves complex technology, expertise and highly specialised resources. For a country like Sri Lanka, where free healthcare is a cornerstone, but resources are limited, sustaining a paediatric liver transplant program places an enormous financial strain on the system. As such, the program has depended heavily on the generosity of well-wishers, charities and philanthropic organisations to bridge critical funding gaps. Thanks to these contributions, the centre is able to ensure that children receive equal access to this life-saving treatment regardless of their family’s financial situation.
To date, the dedicated medical team at CNCLD has successfully performed 37 paediatric liver transplants. Among these inspiring cases is the youngest patient, who was just five months old and weighed a mere four kilograms when she underwent the surgery. Each successful transplant represents a monumental effort by the healthcare team, supported by the Ministry of Health, the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Kelaniya, and a network of donors who have stood by the program over the years.
A landmark moment for the program came in 2024 with the establishment of the M H Omar Liver Care Centre, a four-storey facility equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure. The centre houses advanced operating theatres, intensive care and high-dependency care units, and cutting-edge equipment. This facility now serves as Sri Lanka’s long-awaited national hub for treating children with liver disease. It is also a centre of academic excellence, carrying out award-winning research, contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate training, and shaping the next generation of medical professionals who will continue this vital work.
The contribution of the Inner Wheel Club – Colombo West comes at a critical time. On August 18, 2025, the club, led by President Mrs. Gowri Soysa and coordinated by Past President Mrs. Shiromi Abeysuriya, donated essential equipment and consumables to strengthen the paediatric liver transplant program. Their timely intervention ensures that the centre can continue to provide the highest level of care to children who need it most.
Speaking on behalf of the institution, a representative of the medical team at CNCLD expressed deep appreciation for this generous gesture. “We as the team at M H Omar Liver Care Facility, Colombo North Centre for Liver Diseases, Ragama, would like to express our sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all the members of Inner Wheel Club, Colombo West, District 322 for their kind donation of essential equipment and consumables. Their support uplifts our patient care and enables us to continue our mission of saving young lives.”
The impact of such generosity extends far beyond the immediate needs of patient care. Every donation strengthens the foundation of the program, allowing CNCLD to maintain world-class standards of treatment while also advancing research and training for future healthcare professionals. As more children undergo successful liver transplants, the ripple effect on society becomes evident: healthier children grow into healthier adults who contribute positively to their families, communities and the country at large.
The Inner Wheel Club – Colombo West has once again demonstrated the power of collective compassion and commitment to service. By investing in a program that offers not just medical treatment but the promise of a future, they have reaffirmed the values of humanity and solidarity. Their contribution is a reminder that when communities come together to support life-saving initiatives, the results are profound and enduring.
In Sri Lanka, where the need for paediatric liver transplants remains significant, the continuity of such programs depends on the partnership between dedicated medical teams and generous supporters. The collaboration between CNCLD and organisations such as the Inner Wheel Club ensures that no child is denied a second chance at life because of financial constraints.
As Sri Lanka looks ahead, the success of the paediatric liver transplant program at CNCLD Ragama stands as a symbol of hope, resilience and shared responsibility. With continued support from philanthropic groups, private organisations and individuals, the dream of saving more young lives will continue to become a reality, one child at a time.
