THE JAYAM WIJAYARATNAM FUND | LMD

Jayam Wijayaratnam’s legacy lives on in reward of 100-bed most cancers hospital

Spouse Yogeswari fingers over purpose-built facility designed by architect Anjalendran to Ministry of Well being

Ragama, Friday 8^th July 2022: A 100-bed, purpose-built most cancers hospital was gifted to the folks of Sri Lanka right now in a poignant tribute to the reminiscence and legacy of philanthropy of certainly one of Negombo’s most-loved former residents – the late Jayam Wijayaratnam, a former Deputy Mayor and a third-generation businessman of the coastal metropolis.

The Jayam Wijayaratnam Most cancers Care Centre (JWCCC) designed by the legendary architect Anjalendran and constructed beneath the supervision of the famend engineer Deepal Wickramasinghe, was formally handed over to the Ministry of Well being by Mrs Yogeswari Wijayaratnam, who launched into the venture after her husband’s demise in 2013.

Impressed by the idea of the UK charity Maggie’s which operates a community of centres that supply skilled assist, bringing folks collectively in a peaceful, pleasant and uplifting area; the Jayam Wijayaratnam Centre inbuilt shut proximity to the Colombo North Educating Hospital, Ragama, is designed in keeping with the assumption that mild, color and a connection to nature will help folks really feel higher. A spacious courtyard and vast ethereal verandahs make it calming and welcoming, a spot to flee from the medical atmosphere of a hospital.

Following its handing over to the Ministry of Well being, the fully-furnished JWCCC will function as a part of the Oncology Division of the Ragama Hospital. Straight accessible from the Hospital, will probably be geared up and staffed by the Oncology Division, with Dr Sujeewa Siyambalapitiya, the Marketing consultant Oncologist on the Ragama Hospital, in general cost of the power.

The primary constructing of the Jayam Wijayaratnam Most cancers Care Centre accommodates 100 beds. An ancillary wing to be accomplished shortly would be the nurses’ and workers quarters.  Constructed on an acre of land supplied by the federal government, the Centre is supported by laboratory services, affected person screening areas, workplaces, nurses’ and medical doctors’ relaxation rooms, and a prayer room.

The Centre has an auditorium for the conduct of most cancers consciousness programmes and lectures, a pharmacy and a particular ward for terminally in poor health sufferers which is able to permit a member of the family to reside with a affected person within the much-needed serenity, care and luxury of a care dwelling with glimpses and views of the character that surrounds them.

The administration of the JWCCC venture was undertaken by the Jayam Wijayaratnam Fund, the Trustees of that are Mrs Yogeswari Wijayaratnam, Dr Radhika Coomaraswamy and Mr Kavan Ratnayaka. In continuing with the venture, Mrs Wijayaratnam was fulfilling a want of her husband, who had needed to construct a most cancers hospital in his space after observing the travails of people that needed to journey to the Maharagama Most cancers hospital for therapy. With enough area not being obtainable in Negombo, Ragama was chosen as the situation for the Centre.

Jayam Wijayaratnam and Yogeswari studied the bodily sciences at their respective universities. Yogeswari accomplished her London BSc diploma training and later taught at Bishop’s School Colombo. Jayam was compelled to chop quick his college training after the loss of life of his father, a former Mayor of Negombo, to take over the household enterprise that included a desiccated coconut mill. He later grew to become the President of the DC Millers Affiliation of Sri Lanka. An alumnus of Royal School Colombo, Jayam was a member of the school First XV rugby workforce that performed for the Bradby Defend beneath the captaincy of the late C. V. Gooneratne.

Three generations of Wijeyartnams have lived in Negombo and are identified for his or her dedication to philanthropy. Jayam Wijayaratnam supported the local people with quite a few donations to temples, kovils and church buildings and by sponsoring the breakfast meals of Daham Pasal college students for a few years.