• Bank becomes Gold Sponsor of TLC Triathlon 2025 series in Kilinochchi, Batticaloa, Matara, Colombo

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has joined hands with the Indira Cancer Trust (ICT) as the Gold Sponsor of the Touch, Look, Check (TLC) Triathlon 2025, a nationwide series of events to raise awareness of breast cancer – which tragically claims three lives a day in Sri Lanka – reaffirming the bank’s commitment to empower women and promote community well-being as a core pillar of its corporate social responsibility efforts.

This unique initiative combines the power of sport with health education to highlight the importance of early detection of breast cancer, as part of the trust’s activities in October.

The TLC Triathlon 2025 will be the first nationwide triathlon series in the country to take the message of breast self-examination to the public. The triathlon will take place across four cities – Kilinochchi, Batticaloa, Matara, and Colombo – through a combination of swimming, cycling, and running. 

Alongside the sporting events, healthcare professionals and trained volunteers will conduct live demonstrations to educate participants on how to practise the simple, free, and effective TLC method of self-checking for early signs of breast cancer.

The events are scheduled to take place on 5 October in Kilinochchi (Rodrigo Grounds), 12 October in Batticaloa (Weber Ground), 19 October in Matara (Kotawila Ground), and 26 October in Colombo (Independence Square). More than 4,000 athletes and over 10,000 spectators are expected to participate in this landmark series, making it a powerful platform for awareness, fitness, and community engagement.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Sri Lanka, with an average of 15 new cases diagnosed every day. Early detection through regular self-examination can significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival rates, which makes the TLC message – Touch, Look, Check – a critical life-saving practice.

Speaking about the bank’s sponsorship, Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge said: “Breast cancer affects far too many Sri Lankan women and families. We believe awareness and early detection are key to saving lives. 

“As a bank with a strong commitment to empower women and support community well-being, we are honoured to partner with the Indira Cancer Trust on this landmark initiative. By joining forces through the TLC Triathlon, we hope to drive awareness across the country and encourage more women to take that simple but critical step of self-examination.”

The Indira Cancer Trust, established in 2016, is Sri Lanka’s first dedicated helpline and support service for cancer patients and their families. Among its flagship initiatives, Suwa Arana near the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama is the country’s first paediatric palliative care centre and provides 32 family rooms as well as free meals and lodging for families of children undergoing treatment.

Organised by the ICT in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sri Lanka Medical Association, and under the technical guidance of the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists, the TLC Triathlon 2025 is supported by Commercial Bank as part of its corporate social responsibility agenda. Through this partnership, the bank reaffirms its dedication to women’s health, empowerment, and the creation of a healthier, more informed society.