SRI LANKA COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS

President’s message

I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the president of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists for 2023/24.  The country and the college went through a very difficult period in the last few years. I am grateful to my immediate predecessors Prof Shehan Williams, Dr Gihan Abeywardena and Dr Kapila Ranasinghe for guiding the college through these troubled times

I have taken over at a relatively stable period. But still many challenges remain.

The economic crisis in the country continues to have an adverse impact on the health services. It has resulted in the migration of a large number of consultant psychiatrists creating a huge challenge in maintaining services. The college hopes to work with the ministry of health to reorganize services to meet the new reality.

The shortage of medications in the government sector continues to be a challenge. This has a severe impact on mental health patients as many of them cannot afford to buy from the private sector. The college will be working closely with the ministry of health to rectify this situation as far as possible.

We are hoping to host the 15^th annual conference of the SAARC Psychiatric federation along with our annual academic session in July 2024.  We hope this will be a major academic event with the participation of a large number of international delegates. Dr Lade Smith, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in UK has already confirmed her participation as a guest of honour.

The college will be conducting regular continuous medical education activities for members as well as trainees, medical officers and mental health clinicians. These will include several regional meetings. We will also continue get involved in all aspects of service development activities at the national and regional level. The long-delayed amendment of the mental health act will remain as a priority for the college and we will do our best to ensure that it is finalized.

I sincerely hope that the membership will support me and my council to carry out these tasks to the best of our ability.

Thank you.
Dr. Sajeewana Amarasinghe