Project Background:

The scars of Sri Lanka’s 25-year civil war are still visible, especially in the northern region. While the country slowly rebuilds, many communities are still struggling to access basic healthcare—something that should never be out of reach.

At the heart of this effort to heal lies St. Luke’s Methodist Hospital, a 125-year-old institution dedicated to serving those in need. This hospital has been a beacon of hope for generations, but now it needs your help to continue its mission.

Right now, the hospital can only provide two hours of consultancy each weekday, limited to a small, partially renovated room, where a retired medical officer offers care to the community. Imagine the challenge this poses for families, the elderly, and children who need access to life-saving healthcare.

With your support, we can restore and repurpose several buildings in urgent need of renovation, transforming St. Luke’s into a place of healing once again. Every contribution—no matter the size—will directly help:

- Expand consultation hours to meet the growing needs of the community.

- Restore critical hospital facilities, creating a safer and more welcoming space for patients.

- Ensure the hospital can continue to serve as a lifeline for the region for generations to come.

This is not just about bricks and mortar; it's about giving hope and dignity back to a community that has endured so much. Your generosity will make a lasting difference in the lives of people who have suffered hardship for too long.

Please join us in this mission. Together, we can bring healing to those who need it most.

My involvement:

Born in Sri Lanka but raised in Guam, USA, I've always felt a deep connection to my country of origin. While summer visits as a child were wonderful, they often left me feeling like a tourist.

To deepen my connection and contribute to the rebuilding efforts, I'll be participating in a 450km bicycle ride across Sri Lanka in February 2025 to raise money for this worthy cause.. This four-day journey will take me through diverse landscapes and communities, offering a unique opportunity to experience the country's beauty and culture firsthand.

Training for the ride has been both challenging and rewarding. Long weekend rides with friends have not only improved my endurance but have also introduced me to stunning sights like the Blue Angels landing at SFO and whales in Pacific Grove. These experiences have reminded me of the incredible beauty that surrounds us.

This is the 9th year of the ride, and related non-profit organizations have been set up in various countries to support this cause. There currently is a non-profit in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and Sri Lanka, each conforming to local laws and regulations.

Ride Map

More details on the ride can be found by clicking on the following links:

Trek 4 Ceylon web page.

Ride 4 Ceylon facebook page.

USA & Australian donors,

please click on the the “Give Now” link.

Please note: As there is no U.S.-based non-profit, we are leveraging the Australian organization. Donations will be in Australian Dollars (AUD), and you'll see a charge on your credit card in Australian Dollars. For reference: 75 AUD is approximately 50 USD.

If you decide to donate, please don't feel pressured to tip the platform. To modify the default tip, enter a custom amount and decrease it to zero.

Canadian donors,

please see below:

Contributions received from our supporters and donors in Canada will be directed towards the Paediatric Outpatients Department of St Luke's Methodist Hospital, and should be made through Hope4Child Relief Mission, a Canadian registered charity. Please select option 9. Trek 4 Ceylon from the Fund dropdown list. If you are sponsoring a rider, then please enter the name of the rider in the optional message field.

Donate via Hope4Child

Please remember to select option 9. "Trek 4 Ceylon" and enter "Wignarajah #73" in the optional message.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my T4C2025 JustGiving page.