Annual Academic Sessions (AAS) of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2026
by Sachinsujeewa45@gmail.com | March 16, 2026
Annual Academic Sessions (AAS) of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2026
The Annual Academic Sessions 2026 will be held from 5-9 June 2026 at the Galadari (will be named as Radisons Blu Galadari next year)
Inuaguration- 5th night at the Hotel Galadari
Conference – 6-7th at the Hotel Galadari
Dinner- 7th night at the Cinnomon Life
Post congress workshops- 8th and 9th at NIMH
Theme- “Reimagining Psychiatry in Resource-Limited Settings”
Day 1- 06.06.2026
7.00am – 8.00am | Registration |
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8.00am- 9.30am | Free papers |
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9.30am-10.00am | Plenary 1 | Depression beyond the brain;The gut, the immune system, and the mind- Prof Neelika Malavige |
10.00am-10.30am | Plenary 2 | The missing axis in psychiatry; metabolic health as cause, complication, and opportunity- Prof Raveen Hanwella
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10.30am- 11.00am | Morning tea |
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11.00am-12.15pm | Symposium 1
Mental Health in Digital Era | “Telemedicine in relation to the development of mental health services” Prof Robert Parker
Overview of Telemedicine practices in Sri Lanka and its expansion into mental health services- Dr Gumindu Kulatunga
Artificial Intelligence, Digital Tools, and the Psychiatrist of Tomorrow – Dr Roshan Fernando
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12.15pm-1.30pm | Symposium 2
Child and Adolescent Mental Health | Ethical considerations in the diagnosis of autism and ADHD Dr Ananta Dave
Laziness in teens: reasons and solutions- Prof Miyuru Chandradasa
The silent patients : Mental health needs of medically ill children – Dr Madona Sriskhandharaja
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1.30pm-2.30pm | Lunch |
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2.30pm- 3.00pm | Plenary 3 | “The mythic mind in the age of neuroscience”- Prof Vinay Kumar |
3.00pm-4.15pm | Symposium 3 Psychotherapy | Psychological interventions for prolonged grief- Prof. Amila Isuru Carer mental health- Ms Roshan Dhammapala Therapeutic Alliance -Dr Santushi Amarasuriya |
4.15pm- 4.45pm | Plenary 4 | Female sexual dysfunction: new insights, diagnostics, and interventions- Dr T. S. Sathyanarayana Rao |
4.45pm | Evening Tea |
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Day 2- 07.06.2026
7.00am – 8.00am | registration |
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8.00am- 9.30am | Free papers |
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9.30am-10.45am | Symposium 4
Rehabilitation in psychiatry | Psycho-social rehabilitation for Schizophrenia – moving beyond symptom management- Dr Gayani Siriwardena Cognitive Rehabilitation for dementia– Prof Alex Bahar-Fuchs Future of psychosocial rehabilitation in Southeast Asia- Dr Murali Thyloth |
10.45m-11.15am | Morning tea |
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11.15am- 11.45am | Plenary 4 | Adult ADHD in practice: making the correct diagnosis– Dr Pradeepa Dasanayake |
11.45am-1.00pm | Symposium 5
Lifestyle and Mental Health: Evidence to Practice | Lifestyle interventions into mental health care – Dr Vajira Dharmawardene
Metabolic syndrome- Dr Niranjala Meegoda Widanege
Exercise as medicine for mental health – Prof Chathuranga Ranasinghe- |
1.00pm-1.30pm | Plenary 5
| Men’s mental health: hidden burdens and unmet needs- Dr Chamara Wijesinghe |
1.30pm-2.30pm | Lunch |
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2.30pm- 3.30pm | Debate |
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3.30pm-4.00pm | Conclusion Remarks |
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4.00pm | Evening Tea |
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Post Congress Workshop 1
8/6/2026 at NIMH for Psychiatrists, Trainees and Trainees in Judicial Medicine
Forensic Psychiatry
Time: 9.00 am – 2.00 pm
Format: Three thematic sessions with moderated discussion
Lunch: At conclusion of programme
09.00 – 09.10 | Opening and Orientation (10 minutes)
09.10 – 10.10 | Topic 1 (60 minutes)
Psychiatric Expert Evidence in Sri Lanka: Legal Thresholds, Admissibility, and Evidentiary Limits
Primary resource persons:
Secretary to Justice Ministry / Attorney General’s Department
10.10 – 10.25 | Tea Break (15 minutes)
10.25 – 11.25 | Topic 2 (60 minutes)
From Report to Ruling: How Judges Evaluate and Use Psychiatric Evidence
Primary resource persons: Judge
11.25 – 12.25 | Topic 3 (60 minutes)
Between Law and Conscience: Practical Ethics in Forensic Psychiatric Practice
Primary resource persons: Forensic psychiatrist
12.25 – 12.55 | Panel Q&A and Integrated Discussion (30 minutes)
Format
12.55 – 1.00 | Closing Remarks (5 minutes)
- – 2.00 | Lunch
End
Post Congress Workshop 2-
9/6/2026 at NIMH for Psychiatrists, Trainees and MDT members
Topic :Systemic and multisectoral management of Child victims of trauma
“Healing beyond survival “
- Legal framework for protecting victims of Child abuse
- Place of department of probation in supporting victims
- Responsibilities of Women and children’s bureau
- Trauma informed care and supporting victims
- Atypical presentations of victims of trauma late sequelae
6.. Cyber safety of children, evidence based practice