Mastercard’s ‘Tap for Change’ campaign powers Sri Lanka’s largest community-driven cancer care initiative

Mastercard Country Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives Sandun Hapugoda (right) with Colours of Courage Trust Co-Founder and former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Mahela Jayawardene 

Reiterating its commitment to ‘Doing Well by Doing Good,’ Mastercard has launched its ‘Tap for Change’ campaign in Sri Lanka, an initiative empowering cardholders to turn everyday digital payments into life-saving impact. 

The campaign has been launched in collaboration with the Colours of Courage Trust, established to unite communities to support cancer patients and expand access to care, fostering peace, reconciliation, and shared humanity.

Mastercard has pledged to donate $ 750,000 towards the construction of the Trail Cancer Hospital in Karapitiya, a 10 storey, 160-bed facility that will provide advanced cancer care for both adult and paediatric patients. 

Equipped with cutting-edge diagnostics, a bone marrow transplant unit, operating theatres, and a full continuum of care, the hospital will significantly expand access to oncology services and elevate cancer treatment across Sri Lanka.

The Trail Cancer Hospital stands as a beacon of hope for the nation—improving outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients. The initiative builds on Mastercard’s global track record of leveraging its network, technology, and partnerships to advance social impact, from healthcare access to education and financial inclusion.

The ‘Tap for Change’ campaign further strengthens Mastercard’s belief in the power of collaboration and innovation to drive meaningful progress. By connecting digital payments to a national healthcare cause, the initiative enables Sri Lankans to contribute to life changing work with every purchase they make through their contactless card and ecommerce transactions powered by Mastercard. 

Starting January 2026, every contactless transaction made using a Mastercard debit or credit card in Sri Lanka will directly support the construction of the hospital. By simply tapping their Mastercard cards to pay, cardholders, merchants, and partners will collectively help build a facility that will transform cancer care for thousands of underserved patients and their families.

Mastercard Country Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives Sandun Hapugoda said: “Mastercard has always believed in the power of technology and collaboration to drive meaningful change. Through the ‘Tap for Change’ campaign, we are enabling every Mastercard cardholder in Sri Lanka to support a vital national cause simply by tapping their card for everyday purchases. Each contactless transaction becomes an act of generosity—bringing us closer to building the Trail Cancer Hospital in Karapitiya and to a future where advanced cancer care is accessible to every Sri Lankan.” 

Colours of Courage Trust Co-Founder and former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Mahela Jayawardene said: “Sri Lankans know the power of coming together for a greater cause. The ‘Tap for Change’ campaign gives each of us the chance to make a difference. Every tap is a step towards creating real change with a lasting impact. I am proud to support the initiative with Mastercard, because every small act contributes to building a hospital that will bring hope and healing to thousands of Sri Lankan families. I encourage all Mastercard cardholders to simply ‘Tap’ to make a change.”

The Colours of Courage Trust is a Sri Lankan non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing cancer care and treatment in Sri Lanka. The COC’s landmark initiative ‘Trail,’ established with the vision of uniting communities in Sri Lanka in the nation’s fight against cancer, mobilised millions of Sri Lankans to walk across the country in solidarity to raise funds for critical healthcare infrastructure. Today, the Trust continues the mission, building state-of-the-art facilities, supporting patients and families, and fostering a spirit of collective action to ensure quality cancer care is accessible to all.