News
SLMA pledges suitable and sustainable programmes for all
View(s):- Dr. Surantha Perera assures to strive for accessiblehealthcare, resilient systems
and empowerment of individuals at every stage of life
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi
Suitable and sustainable programmes for people to thrive from infancy to old age in Sri Lanka as health is a fundamental right, is the strong pledge of the oldest academic medical association in Asia and Australasia.
The pledge was delivered by the President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), Dr. Surantha Perera, at the inauguration of the 138th Anniversary International Medical Congresson Friday evening.
At the head table (from the left): SLMA Orator Dr. Padmapani Padeniya; Dr. Asela Gunawardena; Prof. Steve Turner; Dr. Surantha Perera; Dr. Anil Jasinghe; Dr. Dilip Bhanushali; and Dr. Asiri Hewamalage
The Chief Guest was Prof. Steve Turner, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, United Kingdom (UK); the Guest of Honour was Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Health Ministry Secretary; and Special Guests were Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services, and Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, President of the Indian Medical Association.
The SLMA Oration 2025 was delivered by Medical Geneticist and Senior Lecturer Dr. Padmapani Padeniya attached to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.
Dr. Surantha Perera with Dr. Padmapani Padeniya
Underscoring that the inauguration was not only a celebration of the SLMA’s legacy but also a reflection of the enduring commitment of Sri Lanka’s medical fraternity to advancing knowledge, improving care and serving the Sri Lankan public, Dr. Perera said that they were a bridge between science and policy, advocating for progressive, evidence-based health reforms.
The congress theme ‘Health Equity Across the Life Course: Resilient Pathways, Empowered Lives’, he said embodied the pledge to make healthcare accessible, systems resilient and individuals empowered at every stage of life.
“To bring this vision to life, we have adopted a life-course approach. In early childhood, we strive to provide every child with a ‘head start’ by nurturing their cognitive, emotional and social development. During adolescence, we promote mental well-being and healthy behaviour to foster resilience. For adults and older people, we prioritise preventive care and lifelong wellness, supporting healthy ageing and contributing to the ‘silver economy’,” he elaborated.
The cross-cutting priorities including climate-resilient healthcare, prevention of road traffic accidents and addressing neglected, emerging and non-communicable diseases, according to him, complement these age-specific interventions.
A highlight was the SLMA Prevention of Road Traffic Crashes Committee outlining a comprehensive plan including the setting up of a Presidential Task Force, introduction of a national surveillance system and establishment of a Road Safety Commission. Its policy document was on ‘Safe Roads – Safe Communities’.
Dr. Surantha Perera
Another was the ‘Reach Out and Read’ programme launched at base hospital level in paediatric wards, beginning with Panadura. Building on this, was ‘Pathway to Potential’ which supported children living in poverty and a third was the work of the SLMA with schools, families and healthcare providers to improve access to care, integrate services into primary health systems and reduce stigma through education, to alleviate the mental health crisis among adolescents.
Dr. Perera said that with the introduction of a new national health policy in 2026, the SLMA took the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution through its Health Policy Forum.
The SLMA will also focus on the “pressing” challenge of strengthening human resources in the healthcare sector, while advocating the establishment of a parliamentary oversight committee to develop a Charter for Healthcare Workers, a critical step in protecting and empowering professionals. After two years of sustained dialogue, the Cabinet had approved the Charter on Patients’ Rights and Responsibilities,a milestone shaped by the SLMA leadership, he said.
In view of the challenges posed by climate change, with Sri Lanka being increasingly vulnerable to floods, droughts and heat waves which have major health impacts, the SLMA had convened the Expert Committee on Planetary Health and Climate Effects, he said, pointing out that its flagship ‘Climate-Smart Green Hospitals’ initiative is underway.
Dr. Perera also announced the launch of the Sri Lanka Medical Advancement Trust with an initial target of Rs. 100 million, a permanent endowment to support professional development, medical research, leadership scholarships, heritage preservation and public health innovation.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!