The Lanka Premier League has produced unforgettable moments on the cricket field. This year, before a single ball is bowled, the Dambulla Sixers hope to create one away from it.
As LPL 2026 gets underway, the Dambulla Sixers have launched a nationwide cancer awareness campaign that begins with a visit to children battling cancer and culminates in Sri Lanka's iconic Pink Match, using the country's biggest cricket stage to deliver a message that extends far beyond the game, according to a statement.
Before attending the official LPL Opening Ceremony and tournament launch yesterday (17), the entire Dambulla Sixers squad, coaching staff and management spent their first morning at Suwa Arana – A Place for Healing, meeting children receiving cancer treatment and their families.
The players toured the facility, spent time with the children, participated in activities, presented gifts and officially launched the team's Pink Campaign for LPL 2026.
Suwa Arana, operated by the Indira Cancer Trust, provides free accommodation, meals and holistic support for children from across Sri Lanka who travel to Maharagama for life-saving treatment at Apeksha Hospital. For many families, it becomes a home during months of treatment, offering not only accommodation but dignity, hope and compassionate care.
Following the visit, the team attended the official LPL media launch before beginning their campaign in the tournament.
The campaign will continue on 19 July, when the Dambulla Sixers take on the Jaffna Kings in the LPL Pink Match, the statement said.
The match will once again transform Sri Lanka's premier domestic cricket tournament into one of the country's largest public health awareness platforms. Dambulla Sixers will wear specially designed pink playing apparel and pink helmets, while breast cancer awareness messages will be displayed throughout the stadium, on giant screens and during the television broadcast.
Children from Suwa Arana and SOS Children's Villages Sri Lanka will join the players during the official pre-match ceremony, reinforcing the message that cancer affects not only patients, but entire families and communities. Official Pink Fan T-shirts will also be available, with proceeds supporting the work of the Indira Cancer Trust.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer affecting women in Sri Lanka. Every day, approximately 15 women are diagnosed, while three women lose their lives to the disease. Yet early detection continues to be one of the most effective ways of improving survival. Through the Touch • Look • Check (TLC) campaign, the Pink Match encourages women to become familiar with their breasts, recognise changes early and seek medical attention without delay.
The Indira Cancer Trust works closely with the Ministry of Health, the National Cancer Control Programme, Apeksha Hospital, the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists, and numerous national technical and professional bodies to strengthen cancer prevention, early detection, patient support and palliative care across Sri Lanka. Through this partnership, the awareness campaign is aligned with national public health priorities while using the reach of cricket to take lifesaving messages to millions of Sri Lankans.
Dinesh Chandimal, Captain of the Dambulla Sixers, said:
"We all dream of winning the LPL, but before we begin that journey we wanted to spend time with children whose courage inspires us all. Cricket has given us an incredible platform, and if wearing pink or spending time with these families encourages even one person to seek medical advice early, then we've already achieved something special. We hope this becomes something the entire cricketing community embraces."
Roshan Mahanama, Mentor of the Dambulla Sixers, said:
"Cricket has always had the power to unite people beyond the game. Throughout my career I have seen how sport can bring hope during life's most difficult moments. Beginning our LPL campaign with children fighting cancer reminds us what true courage looks like. We hope this initiative inspires every Sri Lankan to support those affected by cancer, encourages early detection, and demonstrates how cricket can create lasting change far beyond the boundary."
The Dambulla Sixers believe this initiative can become a lasting tradition within the Lanka Premier League, where cricket not only inspires excellence on the field but also drives meaningful social impact across Sri Lanka.
