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| Sri Lanka Medical Association | |
|---|---|
| Name | Sri Lanka Medical Association |
| Native name | ශ්රී ලංකා වෛද්ය සංගමය |
| Formation | 1887 |
| Headquarters | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Region served | Sri Lanka |
| Membership | Physicians, surgeons, medical specialists |
| Leader title | President |
Sri Lanka Medical Association is the oldest professional body for physicians and surgeons in Sri Lanka, with origins in late 19th-century colonial medical societies. It serves as a national forum linking clinicians, academics, and public health experts across institutions such as University of Colombo, University of Peradeniya, University of Kelaniya, and University of Jaffna. The association interacts with regional and global bodies including Royal College of Physicians, World Health Organization, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Commonwealth Medical Association.
Founded in the late 1800s during the British colonial period, the association evolved from medico-social clubs linked to the Ceylon Medical College and the General Hospital, Colombo. Its development paralleled institutional milestones like the establishment of King's College London-trained clinicians, links with the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and participation in colonial public health responses to events such as the 1918 influenza pandemic and vector control efforts against malaria outbreaks. During the 20th century it engaged with commissions and inquiries including representatives from Ministry of Health (Ceylon), collaborations with All India Institute of Medical Sciences-trained expatriates, and interactions with universities such as University of London external programs. In the post-independence era, the association contributed to national debates influenced by figures associated with Bandaranaike political reforms and public health planning following disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
The body is governed by an elected council and executive committee, with office-bearers including President, Secretary, Treasurer and Editors who coordinate with institutional partners like Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, Colombo South Teaching Hospital, and provincial health directorates. Its constitution and by-laws determine standing committees on ethics, continuing professional development, and medical education, which liaise with entities such as the Sri Lanka Medical Council, Ministry of Health (Sri Lanka), and international regulators like the General Medical Council. Annual general meetings and special assemblies convene at the association headquarters in Colombo and at affiliated venues including the Ceylon Medical Journal's historical premises.
Membership categories encompass Fellows, Members, Associates, and Student Members drawn from graduates of medical schools including Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Ruhuna University Faculty of Medicine, and graduates trained abroad at institutions such as Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and Karolinska Institutet. Eligibility often requires registration with the Sri Lanka Medical Council and demonstrated qualifications such as MD, MS, MBBS, or postgraduate diplomas from bodies like the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Faculty of Public Health (UK). Honorary memberships have been conferred on distinguished clinicians affiliated with institutions including Oxford University, Cambridge University, Imperial College London, and regional universities like University of Colombo's partners.
The association publishes a peer-reviewed periodical with historical continuity dating to colonial-era medical bulletins; its flagship journal is a venue for original research, reviews, and case reports from clinicians at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, and district hospitals across provinces such as the Southern Province, Northern Province, and Eastern Province. It maintains newsletters, position statements and technical reports that cite guidelines from organizations like World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and specialty colleges including the American College of Physicians. Special issues have addressed topics linked to work in collaboration with academic units such as the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (Sri Lanka) and international partners like World Bank health programs.
The association organizes scientific sessions, annual academic meetings, and symposia that attract presenters from tertiary centres including Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (Sri Lanka), and overseas institutions such as King's College London, University of Edinburgh, and University of Melbourne. Programs include continuing professional development accredited by the Sri Lanka Medical Council, workshops in emergency medicine influenced by protocols from International Committee of the Red Cross, and collaborative training initiatives with UNICEF and WHO. It has hosted thematic conferences on tropical medicine reflecting regional collaborations with the Indian Council of Medical Research and Malaysian Medical Association.
The association undertakes policy advocacy on national health priorities, issuing statements on communicable disease control, non-communicable disease prevention, and disaster medicine; these statements have referenced frameworks from World Health Organization, United Nations, and the World Bank. It has participated in campaigns addressing tobacco control aligned with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, maternal and child health initiatives linked with UNICEF, and emergency response coordination during crises involving agencies like Sri Lanka Armed Forces and provincial health authorities. Collaborative public health research has been conducted with partners such as University of Colombo, Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (Sri Lanka), and international donors including Wellcome Trust.
The association confers medals, honorary fellowships, and lifetime achievement awards recognizing contributions by clinicians and researchers affiliated with institutions including National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya, University of Jaffna Faculty of Medicine, and international academics from Oxford University, Cambridge University, and Harvard Medical School. Awards often commemorate historic figures and are presented at annual convocation events attended by representatives from bodies such as the Sri Lanka Medical Council, Ministry of Health (Sri Lanka), and regional medical colleges.
Category:Medical associations in Sri Lanka Category:Organizations established in 1887