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 |
| Chairpersons |
8.00am- 9.30am | Free papers |
| Dr Nilmini Narangammana Dr Achini Samaranayake Dr Danoja Wijesinghe Dr Rasangi Adicarum
|
9.30am-10.00am | Plenary 1 | Depression beyond the brain;The gut, the immune system, and the mind- Prof Neelika Malavige | Prof. K A L A Kuruppuarachchi
Prof Dulshika Waas |
10.00am-10.30am | Plenary 2 | The missing axis in psychiatry; metabolic health as cause, complication, and opportunity- Prof Raveen Hanwella
| Prof Dewasmika Ariyasinghe Dr Anuprabha Wickramasinghe
|
10.30am- 11.00am | Morning tea |
|
|
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
| Prof Shehan Williams Dr. Sayuri Perera
|
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
| Dr Swarna Wijethunga Dr Anuradha Herath |
1.30pm-2.30pm | Lunch |
|
|
2.30pm- 3.00pm | Plenary 3 | “The mythic mind in the age of neuroscience”- Prof Vinay Kumar | Dr Sajeewana Amarasinghe Dr Ianthica Medagama
|
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 | Prof Harshani Rajapakse Dr Vindya Vijayabandara |
4.15pm- 4.45pm | Plenary 4 | Female sexual dysfunction: new insights, diagnostics, and interventions- Dr T. S. Sathyanarayana Rao | Dr Kapila Ranasinghe Dr Dasanthi Akmeemana |
4.45pm | Evening Tea |
|
|
Day 2- 07.06.2026
7.00am – 8.00am | registration |
| Chairpersons |
8.00am- 9.30am | Free papers |
| Dr T A S Prabath Dr Madushi Senevirathne Dr Madushani Dias Dr Bashitha Hapuarachchi
|
9.30am-10.45am | Symposium 4
Rehabilitation in psychiatry | Psycho-social rehabilitation for Schizophrenia – moving beyond symptom management- Dr Gayani Siriwardena
Future of psychosocial rehabilitation in Southeast Asia- Dr Murali Thyloth
Cognitive Rehabilitation for dementia– Prof Alex Bahar-Fuchs
| Dr Jayan Mendis Dr Malsha Gunathilake |
10.45m-11.15am | Morning tea |
|
|
11.15am- 11.45am | Plenary 4 | Adult ADHD in practice: making the correct diagnosis– Dr Pradeepa Dasanayake | Dr. Gihan Abeywardene Dr Gayani Punchihewa
|
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 | Prof Chathurie Suraweera Dr Nimali Wanniarachchi
|
1.00pm-1.30pm | Plenary 5
| Men’s mental health: hidden burdens and unmet needs- Dr Chamara Wijesinghe | Dr T Gadambanadan Dr Lakshika Amarakoon
|
1.30pm-2.30pm | Lunch |
|
|
2.30pm- 3.30pm | Debate | Sri Lanka is ready for the LGBTQ legislation Dr Kapila Ranasinghe Dr Sajeewana Amarasinghe | Moderator-Dr Roshan Monaragala |
3.30pm-4.00pm | Conclusion Remarks |
|
|
4.00pm | Evening Tea |
|
|
Post Congress Workshop 1- Forensic Psychiatry
8/6/2026 at NIMH for Psychiatrists, Trainees and Trainees in Forensic Medicine
Theme: Opinion on Trial: Legal Thresholds, Judicial Use, and Ethical Limits of Forensic Psychiatric Evidence
9:00 am – 9:10 am– welcome
9:10 am – 10:00 am – Psychiatric Expert Evidence in Sri Lanka – Legal Thresholds, Admissibility, and Evidentiary Limits
Ms. Ayesha Jinasena, PC
Attorney-at-Law
Secretary
Ministry of Justice and National Integration
10:00 am – 10:50 am -From Report to Ruling – How Judges Evaluate and Use Psychiatric Evidence
Mr. Ranga Dissanayake
Attorney-at-Law
Former High Court Judge
Director General
Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC)
10:50 am – 11:10 am– Tea Break
11:10 am – 12:00 pm – Between Law and Conscience – Practical Ethics in Forensic Psychiatric Practice
Dr. Susitha Mendis, MBBS, MD, FRANZCP, Accredited Member of the Forensic Faculty of FRANZCP
Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist
National Hospital, Galle
12:00 pm – 12:50 pm- The Expert Witness and the Pursuit of Justice – Responsibilities and Systemic Impact of Forensic Psychiatric Work
Justice S. Thureirajah, PC
Attorney-at-Law
Former Judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
12:50 pm – 1:25 pm– Panel Q&A & Integrated Discussion
1:25 pm – 1:30 pm- Closing Remarks
1:30 pm – Lunch
Post Congress Workshop 2- Child and Adolescent psychiatry
9/6/2026 at NIMH for Psychiatrists, Trainees and MDT members
“Healing beyond survival”, Systemic and multisectoral approach in management of child victims of trauma
8.30am | registration |
|
8.45am | Welcome speech | Dr Dasanthi Akmeemana(Consultant psychiatrist) President, Sri Lanka College of psychiatrists |
9am-9.30am | “Psychological injury of trauma, a silent cry”, Different presentations of victims of trauma Case presentations | Dr Darshani Hettiarachchi Consultant Child and Adolescent psychiatrist |
9.30am -10am | Trauma informed care and psychological support for victims | Dr Anuradha Herath Consultant Child and Adolescent psychiatrist |
10am-10.30am | Cyber safety of children, evidence-based practice | Justice Shiranee Tilakawardane Former acting chief justice and judge of the supreme court International and national arbitrator and Singapore accredited mediator
|
10.30am-11am | Tea break |
|
11am- 11.30am | Medico Legal management of child abuse and role of the Judicial Medical officers in delivering the justice to the child victim of crime | Dr Ajith Thennakoon Consultant JMO
|
11.30am-12pm | Legal framework for protecting victims of child abuse in Sri Lanka | Ms Preethi Inoka Ranasinghe Former high court judge Chairperson NCPA
|
12pm- 12.30pm | Place of department of probation in supporting victims | Mrs Gayani Wijesinghe Commissioner Department of probation and child care services
|
12.30pm | Vote of thanks | Dr Malsha Gunathilaka (Consultant Geriatric psychiatrist) Secretary, Sri Lanka college of psychiatrist |
Chairpersons
Session 1
Dr Swarna Wijethunge ( Consultant Child and Adolescent psychiatrist)
Dr Wishva Uduwage (Consultant Child and Adolescent psychiatrist)
Session 2
Dr Senani Wijathunge (Consultant Child and Adolescent psychiatrist)
Dr Hasala Rajaratne (Consultant Child and Adolescent psychiatrist)