A seven-year-old boy dreams of being a police officer. He puts on the uniform, sits in a patrol car, and for a brief moment, steps into a world where illness does not define him. Four months later, he passes away-but not before experiencing a joy that will linger in his family’s heart forever.
This is the power of a wish, a global initiative that has, for over four decades, shown the transformative power of granting wishes to children facing critical illnesses.
In Sri Lanka, Make-A-Wish was launched on 29 April 2025 coinciding with World Wish Day and marking the 45th anniversary of Make-A-Wish Foundation International. Under the stewardship of the Indira Cancer Trust, whose mission, is to go beyond clinical care and focus on holistic healing – physical, emotional and spiritual, Make-A-Wish Sri Lanka aligns perfectly with that philosophy. It’s about nurturing resilience, restoring joy and creating memories that lasts long after treatment ends.
Each child’s wish is captured thoughtfully: favourite colours, food, and dreams are explored. The team ensures every wish day is safe, joyful, and memorable, working closely with the healthcare consultants-Dr. Sanjeewa Gunasekera, Dr. Prabhani Madummarachchi, Dr. Jaliya Jayasuriya, and Dr. Mahendra Somathilake from the Apeksha Hospital-who guide the process, ensuring each experience aligns with the child’s medical needs.
Over the first four months, Make-A-Wish Sri Lanka has already granted 50 wishes, primarily at the Suwa Arana Paediatric Palliative Care Center, the only paediatric palliative care centre in the country that opened its doors in 2023.
Joanne Joseph sat down with Wish Granting Head Sonali Perera, to understand the passion and vision behind this life-changing initiative.
Q: Sonali, what does Make-A-Wish Sri Lanka mean for the children you work with?
A: Make-A-Wish is about giving children a chance to step outside their illness. For a few hours or even a day, they can be who they want to be-a lawyer, a pilot, or even meet their favourite celebrity. One little girl, confined to a wheelchair, wished to be a lawyer. She couldn’t travel, but we brought the courtroom to her. Four lawyers arrived with a badge, a mug, and a T-shirt reading ‘Little Miss Lawyer.’ Her joy was palpable-she beamed with confidence, laughter, and pride. Moments like these remind us that hope is as vital as medicine.
Q: The initiative has been running for just four months, yet 50 wishes have already been granted. How did this happen?
A: It’s the passion of our team and the generosity of our supporters. We started at Suwa Arana, where children need both medical care and emotional support. From there, we expanded to Apeksha Hospital, and our next goal is Lady Ridgeway Hospital, with the aim to reach children islandwide.
Each wish is carefully planned. We ask children for three wishes, explore their favourite colours, foods, and hobbies, and create experiences tailored to their dreams. Every detail-from transportation, meals, insurance and decorations-is designed to bring delight and safety. After the wish is designed a wish box filled with 13 age/gender appropriate gifts is given to the child as our promise that his/her wish will be granted creating anticipation till wish day.
Q: Who makes these wishes possible behind the scenes?
A: The team is the heart of the initiative. Yasmina Weerabangsa, our Wish Capture Specialist, listens deeply to each child’s story. Hiruni Perera, our Wish Design Specialist, turns those dreams into joyful experiences. I coordinate as Head of Wish Granting. The staff at Indira Cancer Trust, Volunteers, donors, and the medical consultants all play critical roles. Each person brings passion and care, and together we ensure every wish is a moment that will remain as a memory with the child.
Q: Can you share more stories of wishes that touched your heart?
A: Absolutely. There is a 13-year-old who wished to meet his favourite singer. We arranged a surprise visit to his room. When his hero entered, the child’s eyes sparkled with awe, laughter spilling freely for the first time in months.
Another little boy dreamed of visiting the Lotus Tower on his birthday. Surrounded with family he cut a cake at the Orbit restaurant. Even being confined to a wheel chair he was able to watch in wonder the beautiful pixel room and admire the city from the 29th floor of the Lotus Tower.
Then there’s the young boy who wished to see planes take off. He was welcomed like VIP at the Bandaranaike International Airport, taken around and provided with a sumptuous meal. Each staff member of the airport stepped out to greet him by name and the highlight of his visit was being able to board the Etihad flight that had landed and being able to sit in the pilot’s seat.
These moments are the reason we do this-the thought that hope could become as important as the medicine truly touches our hearts. They show that even in the toughest battles, joy, freedom, and wonder are still possible.
Q: How important is community and donor support in making these experiences happen?
A: Every donation counts. Cash contributions fund the logistics of a wish-transportation, meals, insurance-while in-kind support, like hotel stays or restaurants providing meals, brings the experience to life. Seylan Bank PLC who is our official banking partner and other corporate partners have been instrumental in this process.
But beyond money, it’s the human contribution-doctors guiding us medically, and community members offering experiences-that truly transforms a child’s dream into reality. Each wish is a collective effort, and the ripple effect touches families, staff, and every child involved.
Q: How does Suwa Arana fit into this vision?
A: Suwa Arana opened its doors in 2023 to provide a holistic family care concept. Make-A-Wish Sri Lanka enhances that work, adding moments of celebration, freedom, and possibility. Together, we support not just the body but the soul-ensuring children and their families experience hope, happiness, and togetherness, even amid illness.
Q: How can people get involved and help?
A: Donations, offering services, or simply spreading awareness all help. Each contribution-big or small-helps grant a child’s greatest wish. Those who want to get involved can contact us directly or visit the website www.makeawishsrilanka.org. Helpline: 011 2363211. Every act of kindness brings joy to a child’s life.
Q: Why is Make-A-Wish Sri Lanka so critical today?
A: Because hope heals. In the middle of treatments, tests, and uncertainty, children need to feel joy, be celebrated, and experience freedom. Make-A-Wish gives them that chance. Every wish fulfilled is a story of compassion, teamwork, and selflessness-and an invitation for the rest of us to participate in giving hope, healing, and happiness.
Q: What would be your message to the public?
A: Every wish matter, and you can be a part of making it come true. Together we can give children suffering from a critical illness the gift of joy, hope and strength and bring to life the power of a wish. No contribution is too small – every act of kindness helps transform a child’s life.