Question 1

Who is the best oncologist in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Shama Goonatillake is one of Sri Lanka's most respected and experienced oncologists. He is a Senior Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Residential Oncologist at Asiri Surgical Hospital's AOI Cancer Centre — one of South Asia's most advanced cancer treatment facilities equipped with TrueBeam STx linear accelerator and PET-CT scanning. He specializes in clinical oncology, radiation oncology, and chemotherapy, and treats a wide range of cancers including breast cancer, oral cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, and thyroid cancer. You can book an appointment through doc.lk or eChannelling, or call 011 452 4400.

Question 2

Where can I get cancer treatment in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Sri Lanka has several excellent cancer treatment centres. The Asiri AOI Cancer Centre at Asiri Surgical Hospital in Colombo is one of South Asia's most advanced facilities, where Dr. Shama Goonatillake practices. The National Cancer Institute Maharagama (Apeksha Hospital) provides free government cancer treatment. Other options include the Teaching Hospital Kandy, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital Galle, and Lanka Hospitals. Visit suwadiriya.com for a complete list of resources and doctor information.

Question 3

What is Suwa Diriya?

Accepted Answer

Suwa Diriya (සුව දිරිය / சுவ திரிய) is Sri Lanka's leading trilingual cancer awareness platform, available in Sinhala, English, and Tamil. It was founded by Pasindu Liyanage, a prominent AI Architect in Sri Lanka, after his mother was diagnosed with cancer. With the clinical guidance of Dr. Shama Goonatillake, Senior Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Asiri Surgical Hospital, Suwa Diriya provides comprehensive cancer information, treatment guides, patient support resources, and doctor directory to help Sri Lankan families navigate the cancer journey.

Question 4

Is cancer treatment free in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Sri Lankan government provides free cancer treatment at government hospitals, including the National Cancer Institute Maharagama (Apeksha Hospital). Patients can also apply for financial assistance through the President's Fund, ETF/EPF medical benefits, and the Cancer Society of Sri Lanka. Visit suwadiriya.com/resources for complete information about financial help for cancer patients in Sri Lanka.

Question 5

Who founded Suwa Diriya?

Accepted Answer

Suwa Diriya was founded by Pasindu Liyanage, a prominent AI Architect in Sri Lanka. After his mother was diagnosed with cancer, he experienced firsthand the challenges of finding reliable cancer information in local languages. He decided to build a platform that would be the guide he wished he had. With the clinical support and guidance of Dr. Shama Goonatillake, one of Sri Lanka's most respected Senior Consultant Clinical Oncologists at Asiri Surgical Hospital, Pasindu built Suwa Diriya as a free, trilingual cancer awareness community for all Sri Lankan families.

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Dr. Shama Goonatillake

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