Sathiyaraj Silaksana, 27, holds her son S. Saksan, 5, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, at a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 12, 2022. "Due to the current crisis in Sri Lanka, we are facing severe problems in transport and food," said Silaksana, "I have no option but to pay for my son's needs. My husband, is a construction worker. In order to pay for all these expenses we pawned our jewellery." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Priyantha Kumarasinghe, 32, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer which doctors think has spread to his neck and spine, has his head massaged by a relative at his aunt's home in Homagama, Sri Lanka, November 10, 2022. Kumarasinghe started receiving treatment earlier this year just as Sri Lanka's economy went into free fall. Amid a crippling fuel scarcity and weeks of unrest, Kumarasinghe said he was unable to travel between his home and Sri Lanka's main cancer hospital for treatment. "If I had been able to get treatment properly during June, July and August there is a good possibility I could have reduced the lung cancer," he told Reuters. "Because that was not possible that may be the reason why the cancer has grown." REUTERS/ Dinuka Liyanawatte SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Biscuits for Priyantha Kumarasinghe, 32, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer which doctors think has spread to his neck and spine, are seen on a plate at his aunt's house in Homagama, Sri Lanka, November 10, 2022. Kumarasinghe dips biscuits into his tea as they are easy for him to swallow with a painful throat. "If I had been able to get treatment properly during June, July and August there is a good possibility I could have reduced the lung cancer," he told Reuters. "Because that was not possible that may be the reason why the cancer has grown." REUTERS/ Dinuka Liyanawatte SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Priyantha Kumarasinghe, 32, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer which doctors think has spread to his neck and spine, eats food donated by a temple at a communal kitchen in a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 12, 2022. Kumarasinghe started receiving treatment earlier this year just as Sri Lanka's economy went into free fall. Amid a crippling fuel scarcity and weeks of unrest, Kumarasinghe said he was unable to travel between his home and Sri Lanka's main cancer hospital for treatment. "If I had been able to get treatment properly during June, July and August there is a good possibility I could have reduced the lung cancer," he told Reuters. "Because that was not possible that may be the reason why the cancer has grown." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Ratnasingham Rajini, 45, watches her grandson S. Saksan, 5, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, while he takes a nap in a corridor of a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 11, 2022. "I have to give him something easy to eat like porridge every 2 hours but he doesn't eat because of the strength of the medicine and side effects of the chemotherapy." Said Rajini REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Needle marks are seen on the wrist of S. Saksan, 5, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, while he takes a nap after receiving cancer treatment at Apeksha Hospital, at a cancer care transit home, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 16, 2022. "Due to the current crisis in Sri Lanka, we are facing severe problems in transport and food," said his mother Sathiyaraj Silaksana, "I have no option but to pay for my son's needs. My husband, is a construction worker. In order to pay for all these expenses we pawned our jewellery." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

S. Saksan, 5, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, refuses to eat food fed to him by his mother, Sathiyaraj Silaskana, 27, at a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 12, 2022. "Due to the current crisis in Sri Lanka, we are facing severe problems in transport and food," said Silaksana, "I have no option but to pay for my son's needs. My husband, is a construction worker. In order to pay for all these expenses we pawned our jewellery." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Sathiyaraj Silaksana, 27, cries as her husband Kesakarasa Sathiyaraj, 34, hugs their son, S. Saksan, 5, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, at a cancer care transit home, near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 12, 2022. "Due to the current crisis in Sri Lanka, we are facing severe problems in transport and food," said Silaksana, "I have no option but to pay for my son's needs. My husband, is a construction worker. In order to pay for all these expenses we pawned our jewellery." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Sudhagaran Sadurshana, 9, who has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, and her mother Sudhagaran Punawadee, 30, ride a bus as they travel home after being discharged from Apeksha Hospital, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 12, 2022. "We have to go there by bus, we know that's not comfortable for our child but what else can we do? We have no other choice." Punawadee Said. "Currently, increases of transport and food prices are the biggest problems for us. Most medicines are given by the hospital but but some medicines we need to buy from the pharmacy." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Sudhagaran Punawadee, 30, shows a pack of medicine prescribed to her daughter Sudhagaran Sadurshana, 9, who has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, as they pack their belongings before travelling home after being discharged from Apeksha Hospital, at a cancer care transit home, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 12, 2022. "We have to go there by bus, we know that's not comfortable for our child but what else can we do? We have no other choice." Punawadee Said. "Currently, increases of transport and food prices are the biggest problems for us. Most medicines are given by the hospital but but some medicines we need to buy from the pharmacy." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Rathis Supiksa, 7, who has been diagnosed with both blood cancer and bone cancer in her leg, has lunch on a bed at a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 15, 2022. "We never, ever faced a situation like this before. Even during the war period we ate well. but with the current situation in Sri Lanka, it is difficult to live." Said her father, Periyathambi Rathis, "I will definitely have to take out a loan from a loan shark to meet the child's expenses in the future." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Periyathambi Rathis, 32, gives water to his daughter Rathis Supiksa, 7, who has been diagnosed with both blood cancer and bone cancer in her leg, at a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 15, 2022. "We never, ever faced a situation like this before. Even during the war period we ate well. but with the current situation in Sri Lanka, it is difficult to live." Said Periyathambi "I will definitely have to take out a loan from a loan shark to meet the child's expenses in the future." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

S. Saksan, 5, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, plays with a toy car at a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 11, 2022. "Due to the current crisis in Sri Lanka, we are facing severe problems in transport and food," said his mother Sathiyaraj Silaksana, "I have no option but to pay for my son's needs. My husband, is a construction worker. In order to pay for all these expenses we pawned our jewellery." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

S. Saksan, 5, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, sits with his two grandmothers K. Wimalesvari, 63, and Ratnasingham Rajini, 45, at a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 11, 2022. "I have to give him something easy to eat like porridge every 2 hours but he doesn't eat because of the strength of the medicine and side effects of the chemotherapy." Said Rajini. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

S. Saksan, 5, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, laughs as he talks with his mother Sathiyaraj Silaksana, 27, on a video call on his grandmother Ratnasingham Rajini's, 45, phone, at a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 11, 2022. "Due to the current crisis in Sri Lanka, we are facing severe problems in transport and food," said Silaksana, "I have no option but to pay for my son's needs. My husband, is a construction worker. In order to pay for all these expenses we pawned our jewellery." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Kesakarasa Sathiyaraj, 34, shows food stored in a cupboard for his son S. Saksan, 5, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, at a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 16, 2022. Kesakarasa travelled 350km with his wife Sathiyaraj Silaksana, to visit their son. "Due to the current crisis in Sri Lanka, we are facing severe problems in transport and food," said Silaksana. "I have no option but to pay for my son's needs. My husband, is a construction worker. In order to pay for all these expenses we pawned our jewellery."  REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

S. Saksan, 5, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, rests at a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 16, 2022. "Due to the current crisis in Sri Lanka, we are facing severe problems in transport and food," said his mother Sathiyaraj Silaksana, "I have no option but to pay for my son's needs. My husband, is a construction worker. In order to pay for all these expenses we pawned our jewellery." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

S. Saksan, 5, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, takes a nap in a corridor of a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 16, 2022. "Due to the current crisis in Sri Lanka, we are facing severe problems in transport and food," said his mother Sathiyaraj Silaksana, "I have no option but to pay for my son's needs. My husband, is a construction worker. In order to pay for all these expenses we pawned our jewellery." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Sathiyaraj Silaksana, 27, gives a massage to her son S. Saksan, 5, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, at a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 12, 2022. "Due to the current crisis in Sri Lanka, we are facing severe problems in transport and food," said Silaksana, "I have no option but to pay for my son's needs. My husband, is a construction worker. In order to pay for all these expenses we pawned our jewellery." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A medical worker talks to a vendor selling household goods and food for patients and their family members, outside Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 11, 2022. Hundreds of cancer patients have had their treatment upended by Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948. Hospitals countrywide have struggled to contend with severe drug shortages, which have worsened over the last eight months, a representative of Sri Lanka's largest doctors union told Reuters. "All hospitals are experiencing shortages. There is difficulty in even sourcing basics like paracetamol, vitamin C and saline for outpatient services," said Vasan Ratnasingam, a spokesperson for the Government Medical Officers' Association. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Customers stand in line to buy medicine at a pharmacy near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 16, 2022. Hundreds of cancer patients have had their treatment upended by Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948. Hospitals countrywide have struggled to contend with severe drug shortages, which have worsened over the last eight months, a representative of Sri Lanka's largest doctors union told Reuters. "All hospitals are experiencing shortages. There is difficulty in even sourcing basics like paracetamol, vitamin C and saline for outpatient services," said Vasan Ratnasingam, a spokesperson for the Government Medical Officers' Association. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Chamindu Dissanayake, 4, who has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, sits in a rickshaw with his father Sisira Kumara Dissanayake, 35, as they prepare to travel back to their home after being discharged from Apeksha Hospital, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 15, 2022. "It takes between 8 and 10 hours to get here. We can't come by bus because the doctors said exposing him to strangers and outside environment was dangerous for his health. But since we can't afford a car or van we have no other option but to take him in my rickshaw."   REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Sisira Kumara Dissanayake, 35, shows a heart surgery scar on his son Chamindu Dissanayake, 4, who has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, as they prepare to travel back to their home after being discharged from Apeksha Hospital, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 15, 2022. "It takes between 8 and 10 hours to get here. We can't come by bus because the doctors said exposing him to strangers and outside environment was dangerous for his health. But since we can't afford a car or van we have no other option but to take him in my rickshaw." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Rathis Supiksa, 7, who has been diagnosed with both blood cancer and bone cancer in her leg, is carried by her aunt as they follow her father, Periyathambi Rathis, 32, towards Apeksha Hospital for cancer treatment, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 15, 2022. "We never, ever faced a situation like this before. Even during the war period we ate well. but with the current situation in Sri Lanka, it is difficult to live." Said Periyathambi "I will definitely have to take out a loan from a loan shark to meet the child's expenses in the future." SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Rathis Supiksa, 7, who has been diagnosed with both blood cancer and bone cancer in her leg, puts on a face mask at a cancer care transit home before heading to Apeksha Hospital for cancer treatment, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 15, 2022. "We never, ever faced a situation like this before. Even during the war period we ate well. but with the current situation in Sri Lanka, it is difficult to live." Said her father, Periyathambi Rathis, "I will definitely have to take out a loan from a loan shark to meet the child's expenses in the future." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Rathis Supiksa, 7, who has been diagnosed with both blood cancer and bone cancer in her leg, sits on a table in a communal kitchen while her aunt cooks food at a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 15, 2022. "We never, ever faced a situation like this before. Even during the war period we ate well. but with the current situation in Sri Lanka, it is difficult to live." Said her father, Periyathambi Rathis, "I will definitely have to take out a loan from a loan shark to meet the child's expenses in the future." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Sudhagaran Sadurshana, 9, who has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, and her mother Sudhagaran Punawadee, 30, ride a bus as they travel home after being discharged from Apeksha Hospital, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 12, 2022. "We have to go there by bus, we know that's not comfortable for our child but what else can we do? We have no other choice." Punawadee Said. "Currently, increases of transport and food prices are the biggest problems for us. Most medicines are given by the hospital but but some medicines we need to buy from the pharmacy." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Sudhagaran Sadurshana, 9, who has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, talks with her mother at a cancer care transit home before traveling home after being discharged from Apeksha Hospital, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 12, 2022. "We have to go there by bus, we know that's not comfortable for our child but what else can we do? We have no other choice." Punawadee Said. "Currently, increases of transport and food prices are the biggest problems for us. Most medicines are given by the hospital but but some medicines we need to buy from the pharmacy." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Medical workers walk past graffiti protesting against Sri Lanka’s former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on a wall Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 16, 2022. Hundreds of cancer patients have had their treatment upended by Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948. Hospitals countrywide have struggled to contend with severe drug shortages, which have worsened over the last eight months, a representative of Sri Lanka's largest doctors union told Reuters. "All hospitals are experiencing shortages. There is difficulty in even sourcing basics like paracetamol, vitamin C and saline for outpatient services," said Vasan Ratnasingam, a spokesperson for the Government Medical Officers' Association. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Priyantha Kumarasinghe, 32, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer which doctors think has spread to his neck and spine, poses at a cancer care transit home where he is staying near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 11, 2022. Kumarasinghe started receiving treatment earlier this year just as Sri Lanka's economy went into free fall. Amid a crippling fuel scarcity and weeks of unrest, Kumarasinghe said he was unable to travel between his home and Sri Lanka's main cancer hospital for treatment. "If I had been able to get treatment properly during June, July and August there is a good possibility I could have reduced the lung cancer," he told Reuters. "Because that was not possible that may be the reason why the cancer has grown." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Shashini Chamilka Maduhansi, 23, prepares tea for her husband, Priyantha Kumarasinghe, 32, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer which doctors think has spread to his neck and spine, at his aunt's home in Homagama, Sri Lanka, November 10, 2022. Kumarasinghe started receiving treatment earlier this year just as Sri Lanka's economy went into free fall. Amid a crippling fuel scarcity and weeks of unrest, Kumarasinghe said he was unable to travel between his home and Sri Lanka's main cancer hospital for treatment. "If I had been able to get treatment properly during June, July and August there is a good possibility I could have reduced the lung cancer," he told Reuters. "Because that was not possible that may be the reason why the cancer has grown." REUTERS/ Dinuka Liyanawatte SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Shashini Chamilka Maduhansi, 23, prepares medicine for her husband, Priyantha Kumarasinghe, 32, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer which doctors think has spread to his neck and spine, at his aunt's home in Homagama, Sri Lanka, November 10, 2022. Kumarasinghe started receiving treatment earlier this year just as Sri Lanka's economy went into free fall. Amid a crippling fuel scarcity and weeks of unrest, Kumarasinghe said he was unable to travel between his home and Sri Lanka's main cancer hospital for treatment. "If I had been able to get treatment properly during June, July and August there is a good possibility I could have reduced the lung cancer," he told Reuters. "Because that was not possible that may be the reason why the cancer has grown." REUTERS/ Dinuka Liyanawatte SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Priyantha Kumarasinghe, 32, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer which doctors think has spread to his neck and spine, wears a neck support collar at his aunt's house in Homagama in Sri Lanka, November 10, 2022. Kumarasinghe started receiving treatment earlier this year just as Sri Lanka's economy went into free fall. Amid a crippling fuel scarcity and weeks of unrest, Kumarasinghe said he was unable to travel between his home and Sri Lanka's main cancer hospital for treatment. "If I had been able to get treatment properly during June, July and August there is a good possibility I could have reduced the lung cancer," he told Reuters. "Because that was not possible that may be the reason why the cancer has grown." REUTERS/ Dinuka Liyanawatte SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Priyantha Kumarasinghe, 32, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer which doctors think has spread to his neck and spine, plays a video game as he rests at a cancer care transit home near Apeksha Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 11, 2022. Kumarasinghe started receiving treatment earlier this year just as Sri Lanka's economy went into free fall. Amid a crippling fuel scarcity and weeks of unrest, Kumarasinghe said he was unable to travel between his home and Sri Lanka's main cancer hospital for treatment. "If I had been able to get treatment properly during June, July and August there is a good possibility I could have reduced the lung cancer," he told Reuters. "Because that was not possible that may be the reason why the cancer has grown." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "SRI LANKA CANCER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.