Investing in humanity: Suwa Arana’s transformative model for compassionate care

Monday, 30 June 2025 03:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In an era where headlines are dominated by economic recovery, infrastructure development, and investment incentives, it’s easy to overlook the quiet revolutions happening at the heart of our society. Yet, tucked behind the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama is a living example of what strategic, people-centred investment looks like: Suwa Arana.

Sri Lanka’s first paediatric palliative care centre, Suwa Arana is not a hospital, not a hospice — but a comprehensive social infrastructure project that reflects the very best of public service design. Conceived and developed by the Indira Cancer Trust (ICT) in memory of Indira Jayasuriya, and championed by her father, former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, Suwa Arana turns two this June. In just 24 months, it has become a benchmark for integrated, compassionate healthcare in the region.

At its core, Suwa Arana is an investment in dignity. The facility houses 32 en-suite family units, a therapeutic rooftop garden, physiotherapy and massage therapy, counselling services, and a dining system that provides six meals daily — all free of charge. Children undergoing cancer treatment at Apeksha Hospital and their families find not just shelter, but holistic support: emotional, medical, educational, nutritional, and financial.

More than 600 children and 2,000 family members have passed through Suwa Arana’s doors since 2023. Each has received care rooted in empathy and efficiency — demonstrating what can be achieved when civil society, private philanthropy, and strategic planning converge.

Suwa Arana also hosts Make-A-Wish Sri Lanka, delivering joy to children facing critical illness. It operates ICT’s wig bank, breast prosthesis program, and “Sponsor a Child” initiatives, all designed to bridge critical service gaps in cancer care. Through robust partnerships with donors — both institutional and individual — the centre functions without placing any financial burden on its beneficiaries.

Why does this matter to a business readership? Because Suwa Arana represents a model of sustainable social impact that is scalable, replicable, and desperately needed. In a nation working to rebuild public confidence and attract global attention, projects like Suwa Arana show that Sri Lanka has the capacity to build resilient, compassionate systems with long-term return — not only in economic terms, but in social capital.

The business community has a role to play. Whether through CSR partnerships, legacy giving, or volunteer initiatives, Indira Cancer Trust and Suwa Arana offers a platform for private sector engagement that is credible, transparent, and profoundly impactful.

This isn’t just charity — it’s strategy. A strategic commitment to wellbeing, workforce stability, and national resilience. When families are held through hardship, communities become stronger. When systems are designed with empathy, nations thrive.

As Suwa Arana moves into its third year, the call is clear: invest in models that restore trust. Back initiatives that centre dignity. Support infrastructure that doesn’t just house people — but heals them.

Because in the economy of humanity, Suwa Arana – A Place for Healing is delivering returns that matter.

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event including Valentine ’s Day. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Flower Bouquets, Clothing, Watches, Lingerie, Gift Sets and Jewellery. Also if you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.