Watford student's heartache over father's health struggle

Salinda Malalgoda is from Sri Lanka but lives in Watford for his PHD studies in the UK, while back home him family are struggling to find the money for his dad Saman's operation.

Doctors have warned the 69-year-old needs urgent catheter surgery or the condition could worsen.

Salinda with his father Saman (Image: Salinda Malalgoda)

He described waiting for news thousands of miles away as “one of the hardest experiences of my life” but cannot afford to pay for a return flight or the surgery on his tight student budget.

Salinda said: “It's a really sad situation because I would really hope to go there by now, but a return flight to Sri Lanka will cost around £1,000 itself.”

Salinda's father Saman, 69 (Image: Salinda Malalgoda)

“I’ve become very worried and haven’t eaten a lot,” the part-time Great Ormond Street Hospital clinical worker added.

“I know it is a busy situation back home as well, so I sit here wondering what is happening there, because I don’t get many updates. I try to keep in touch with my mother to get updates.”

Salinda with Saman, his mother, and brother (Image: Salinda Malalgoda)

The surgery costs around LKR 500,000, around £1,120 but roughly six months’ salary in Sri Lanka and “far beyond what my family can afford”. Meanwhile, the equivalent of the NHS apparently means a wait of one to two years in the country.

Salinda, who has not been able to travel home since 2023, has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for the operation. At time of writing, £699 has been raised from 18 donations.

Money will go towards the kidney catheter procedure, hospital and medical expenses, medication, and follow-up treatment.

• View the GoFundMe page here: Help Save My Father’s Kidney – Urgent Catheter Surgery Need

Salinda with his father Saman and his mother (Image: Salinda Malalgoda)

The 34-year-old business administration student said: “My father has always worked hard and sacrificed everything for our family.

“Now, during this difficult time, I want to do everything I can to support him and give him the treatment he urgently needs.”

Salinda with his father Saman (Image: Salinda Malalgoda)