A Beacon of Hope Across the Miles: UK Diaspora Delivers LKR 20.9 Million Ultrasound Scanner to Sri Lanka’s Apeksha Hospital.
By: Thasmina Sookoor
In an inspiring demonstration of unity, compassion, generosity, and enduring commitment to their homeland, members of the Sri Lankan diaspora across the United Kingdom have successfully come together to fund a state of the art diagnostic ultrasound scanner for the National Cancer Institute, Apeksha Hospital, in Maharagama.
Facilitated by the Sri Lanka Leukaemia Foundation UK, known as SLLF UK, the ambitious fundraising campaign successfully reached its target of £50,000, equivalent to approximately LKR 20.9 million. The funds enabled the procurement of a sophisticated Samsung V8 High End Ultrasound Scanner System, providing Apeksha Hospital with advanced diagnostic technology that will directly support the care of cancer patients from across Sri Lanka.
The achievement represents much more than the delivery of a piece of medical equipment. It reflects the strength of a community thousands of miles away from Sri Lanka that continues to maintain a deep connection with the country and its people. Through collective generosity, voluntary service, fundraising events, professional expertise, and community collaboration, the UK based Sri Lankan community has transformed goodwill into a tangible medical resource with the potential to improve and save lives.
The arrival of the scanner comes at an important time for Apeksha Hospital, Sri Lanka’s premier institution dedicated to cancer treatment and care. Cancer diagnosis and treatment increasingly depend on sophisticated imaging technologies that enable medical professionals to identify abnormalities at an early stage, understand the characteristics of tumours, guide clinical procedures, and monitor patients throughout their treatment. Recognising this need, the executive committee of SLLF UK launched a major fundraising campaign earlier this year with the objective of helping address an important medical equipment requirement at Apeksha Hospital.
From its inception, the campaign was designed to involve every section of the diaspora. Rather than relying on a single fundraising event or donor, SLLF UK developed a broad community effort incorporating sporting events, corporate sponsorships, crowdfunding, individual contributions, voluntary initiatives, community gatherings, and legacy giving. One of the first major events took place on the 3rd of May with the eagerly anticipated “Try for Cure” touch rugby tournament, organised in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Schools Touch Rugby Association. The tournament brought sport and philanthropy together through an innovative fundraising concept. Supporters pledged donations according to the number of tries scored during the tournament, creating a direct connection between achievement on the rugby field and the campaign’s wider mission of supporting cancer patients in Sri Lanka.
The momentum continued on the 24th of May with the “Light of Hope for Apeksha” luncheon, hosted at Maneke Sri Lankan Restaurant in High Wycombe. The gathering was graced by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Mr. Nihal Senadheera, and brought together members of the community in a powerful expression of shared purpose.
Addressing those present, SLLF UK President Jerome Adams reflected on the enduring relationship between Sri Lankans living overseas and their homeland. He emphasised that geographical distance does not diminish the connection people maintain with their heritage or their desire to support those in need in Sri Lanka. He also highlighted how heartwarming it was to witness members of the community rally together without hesitation to support a project capable of bringing tangible hope to vulnerable patients and their families.
Behind the success of the public fundraising events stood the generosity of individuals throughout the United Kingdom. Donations arrived through crowdfunding platforms, personal contributions, community initiatives, and other voluntary efforts. SLLF UK expressed its sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to the campaign, including Mr. Themiya de Mel, Dr. Nilani Gajaweera, and the many volunteers and supporters whose commitment helped drive the project towards its successful conclusion.
At the centre of the initiative was the need to secure a diagnostic platform capable of supporting the complex requirements of modern oncology. Following careful consideration of the hospital’s clinical requirements, the Samsung Medison V8 Ultrasound System, valued at approximately LKR 21 million, was procured. SLLF UK also extended its sincere thanks to Mr. Kavinda Nanayakkara, Chief Executive Officer of Pyramed International Ltd, whose assistance played an important role in facilitating the smooth procurement of the ultrasound system from Singapore.
Ensuring that the technology could immediately contribute to patient care was an important part of the project. The technical specifications of the scanner were therefore carefully matched with the clinical needs and working environment of the National Cancer Institute. Among its important capabilities are advanced Artificial Intelligence algorithms designed to assist clinicians in detecting and classifying breast and thyroid lesions. These technologies can support medical professionals in distinguishing between benign and malignant masses and provide valuable additional information during diagnostic assessments. The scanner also offers specialised imaging capabilities that enable clinicians to visualise microscopic blood flow within tumours. Understanding blood flow can provide important information when assessing tumour development and progression.
In addition, the system is equipped with specialised high-resolution probes suitable for abdominal, paediatric, and gynaecological oncology examinations, significantly broadening its clinical usefulness across different patient groups and cancer specialties. For the many patients evaluated at Apeksha Hospital, these capabilities can contribute to faster and more accurate detection, precise guidance during biopsies, improved assessment of abnormalities, and more effective monitoring of treatment progress.
Delivering a medical asset of this scale from an international donor community required careful coordination, governance, regulatory compliance, and cooperation between organisations and individuals in both the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka. To ensure compliance with relevant state requirements, the project underwent formal due diligence conducted by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media in collaboration with the SLLF executive team led by President Jerome Adams and Treasurer Dilshan Senanayake. A dedicated liaison team comprising SLLF UK officers Dr. Narada Wijayatilake, Mr. Nihal Perera, and Professor Suranjith Seneviratne worked closely with Dr. Wijelal Meegoda to identify the project, establish the precise clinical requirements, and define its overall scope. Their involvement helped ensure that the fundraising effort was translated into a carefully planned medical intervention that responded directly to the hospital’s needs.
Months of fundraising, coordination, procurement, and collaboration culminated on 24 August 2026 with the official handover ceremony at Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama. Representing the UK diaspora and donor community, SLLF UK Vice President Nilmini Seneviratne, Professor Suranjith Seneviratne, and Mr. Themiya de Mel attended the ceremony to formally present the advanced ultrasound system to National Cancer Institute Director Dr. Suranga Dolamulla. The occasion carried particular emotional significance for those who had supported the campaign from thousands of miles away.
In a touching handwritten message sent by the clinical staff and patients of the National Cancer Institute to donors in the United Kingdom, the hospital expressed its heartfelt appreciation and conveyed how much the generosity and solidarity of the community meant to them throughout their journey. The message served as a powerful reminder that behind the fundraising totals, medical specifications, procurement processes, and international logistics are individuals and families confronting cancer and looking towards Apeksha Hospital for treatment, care, reassurance, and hope.
With the ultrasound scanner successfully delivered, SLLF UK is already turning its attention towards future initiatives supporting Apeksha Hospital and other worthy medical projects in Sri Lanka. The foundation is now inviting the community to come together once again for its forthcoming “Echoes of Hope” Sunday Lunch on Sunday, 27th September 2026, from 12.30 pm until 4.30 pm at Kothu Restaurant & Bar in Croydon. For a ticket price of £25, guests will receive a welcome drink, a traditional Sunday Lamprais buffet, and dessert while enjoying live Rock and Roll, Country, and Golden Oldies music performed by Patrick Webster. Funds raised through the event will directly support cancer care initiatives in Sri Lanka, continuing the spirit of community generosity that made the ultrasound scanner project possible. The successful delivery of the Samsung V8 Ultrasound Scanner demonstrates what can be achieved when a diaspora community unites behind a clear humanitarian purpose. From rugby fields and community restaurants in Britain to hospital wards in Maharagama, every contribution became part of a collective effort to strengthen cancer care in Sri Lanka. For SLLF UK, its donors, volunteers, supporters, and partners, the project represents a bridge of compassion stretching across thousands of miles. For the doctors and clinical teams at Apeksha Hospital, it provides advanced technology to support their vital work. Most importantly, for patients and their families, it represents something even more meaningful: renewed hope.
SLLF UK encourages members of the community who wish to learn more about its forthcoming events, ongoing medical projects, donations, or volunteering opportunities to visit the foundation’s website at www.sllfuk.org.
