Who We Are

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The College of Palliative Medicine of Sri Lanka was formally established in October 2021, coinciding with World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. This milestone reflects Sri Lanka’s commitment to compassionate, person-centered care and echoes the vision of Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement, who introduced the concept of “Total Care.”

The College brings together specialists from diverse fields including Physicians, Surgeons, Oncologists, Anesthetists, Radiologists, Psychiatrists, Geriatricians, Community Physicians, Health Administrators, Family physicians, Nutrition Physicians, General Practitioners and Academics, united in the mission of providing comfort-focused care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.

As a member of the National Steering Committee on Palliative Care at the Ministry of Health, the College collaborates with the National Cancer Control Programme, the Non-Communicable Diseases Bureau, and the Education, Training and Research Unit to strengthen healthcare capacity, support evidence-based policy, and advance palliative care services across Sri Lanka.

President’s Message

Palliative care in Sri Lanka is still at an early stage of development. However, the rapidly increasing burden of chronic illnesses and the growing ageing population make the need for palliative care more urgent than ever. The College of Palliative Medicine, Sri Lanka, is committed to providing technical guidance and professional leadership to support the gradual development of a national palliative care system. While the formal training and production of palliative care specialists will require a minimum of five years, the College is actively working to bridge this gap. We aim to strengthen the quality of services during this transition period by supporting medical officers, nurses, and allied health professionals who are trained, motivated, and interested in the field. Through capacity building, technical assistance, advocacy, research and collaboration with key stakeholders, the College strives to ensure that patients with serious and life-limiting illnesses receive compassionate, dignified, and quality care, even as the system continues to evolve.
Dr. Renuka Jayatissa
President CPMSL

Council Members

College of Palliative Medicine of Sri Lanka Council 2025/2026

Executive Committee

President – Dr. Renuka Jayatissa, President-Elect – Dr. Pushpa Weerasinghe, Vice President – Dr. Densil Gunasekara, Secretary – Dr. Buddhini Denuwara, Treasurer – Dr. Yasoma Weerasekara, Editor – Dr. Dakshila Galappatti, Assistant Secretary – Dr. K.D.S.N. Wijeratne, Assistant Editor – Dr. Hasith Fernando

Council Members

Prof. Jayantha Balawardena, Prof. Saman Nanayakkara, Prof. Samadhi Rajapaksa, Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana, Dr. Keerthi Rajapaksa, Dr. Lalantha Senaratna, Dr. A.M.A.H.M.S. Senanayaka, Dr. Dhanuja Mahesh, Dr. Kithsiri Senanayake, Dr. Chathuri Jayawardena, Dr. Ishanka Talagala, Dr. Hilary Fernando, Dr. Himali Herath, Dr. Senitha Liyanage, Dr. Ishara Premathilake, Dr. Sashiprabha Nawaratne, Dr. Priyanthi Premaratne, Dr. Preethi Wijegoonawardena, Dr. Hemantha Kumara, Dr. Nayani Suriyarachchi, Dr. Thusitha Kahaduwa, Dr. Yohan Paranawithana

College of Palliative Medicine of Sri Lanka Council 2024 / 2025

From Left to Right

Front Row
Dr. Prasadini Karunaratne, Dr. Densil Gunasekara (Asst. Secretary), Dr. Sashiprabha Nawaratne (Hon. Secretary), Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana (Immediate Past President), Dr. Ranga Perera (President), Dr. Renuka Jayatissa (President Elect), Dr. Pushpa Weerasinghe (Vice President), Dr. Ishara Premathilake (Hon. Treasurer), Dr. Kithsiri Senanayake (Editor), Prof. Samadhi Rajapaksa (Fellow)

Middle Row
Dr. Ishanka Talagala, Dr. Priyanthi Premaratne, Dr. Shanaz Thasleem, Dr. Chathuri Jayawardena, Dr. Dineshan Ranasinghe, Dr. Lihini Wijerathna, Dr. Dakshila Galappaththi (Asst. Editor), Dr. Lalantha Senaratne

Rear Row
Dr. Thusitha Kahaduwa, Dr. Buddhika Mahesh, Dr. Senitha Liyanage, Dr. Dhanuja Mahesh, Dr. Keerthi Rajapaksha

Not In The Picture
Prof. Saman Nanayakkara, Prof. Jayantha Balawardena, Dr. Thushan Gooneratne, Dr. Suneth Karunarathne, Dr. N. Jeyakumar, Dr. Hilary Fernando, Dr. Wasantha Rathnayake, Dr. T. Skandaraja, Dr. Nurad Joseph, Dr. Upul Vidanagama, Dr. Chamini Senatunga, Dr. Kelum Pelpola

College of Palliative Medicine of Sri Lanka Council 2023 / 2024

Front Row
Dr. Thushitha Kahaduwa (Editor), Dr. Ishanka Talagala (Hon. Secretary), Dr. Ranga Perera (Vice President), Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana (President), Prof. Samadhi Rajapaksha (Immediate Past President), Dr. Senitha Liyanage (Hon. Treasurer), Dr. Hilary Fernando (Assistant Secretary), Dr. Renuka Jayatissa (President Elect)

Rear Row
Dr. Pushpa Weerasinghe, Dr. Prasadini Karunaratne, Dr. Kumudu Weerakoon, Dr. Mahesh Rathnavibushana, Dr. Buddhika Mahesh, Dr. Aravinda Wickramasinghe, Dr. Yasodha Nandaratnam, Dr. Sherine Balasingham, Dr. Lalani Seneratne, Dr. Lakkana Senevirathne

Absentees
Dr. Amila Isuru, Dr. Densil Gunasekara, Dr. Suneth Karunarathne, Prof. Saman Nanayakkara, Dr. Thushani Gunaratne, Dr. Kelum Pelpola, Dr. Kithsiri Senanayake, Dr. Kalpanie Wijewardana

College of Palliative Medicine of Sri Lanka Council 2022 / 2023

Seated (left to right):
Dr. Ishanka Talagala (Editor), Dr. Thusitha Kahaduwa (Treasurer), Dr. Lakshmi
Somatunga (Immediate Past President), Prof. Samadhi Rajapaksa (President), Dr.
Janaki Vidanapathirana (President Elect), Dr. Ranga Perera (Vice President), Dr.
Kumudu Weerakoon (Secretary), Dr. Senitha Liyanage (Assistant Secretary)

Standing (left to right):
Dr. Kalpanie Wijewardana, Dr. Chaya Withanachchi, Dr. Hilary Fernando, Dr. Kelum
Pelpola, Dr. Dumindu Wijewardana, Dr. Kithsiri Senanayake, Dr. Buddhika Mahesh,
Dr. Thushan Gooneratne, Dr. Densil Gunasekara, Dr. Rangana Wadugedara, Dr.
Pubudu De Silva, Dr. Pushpa Weerasinghe, Dr. Renuka Jayatissa

Absentees
Prof. Saman Nanayakkara, Dr. Preethi Wijegoonawardene, Dr. Amila Isuru

College of Palliative Medicine of Sri Lanka Council 2021 / 2022

Seated (left to right):
Dr. N. Jayakumaran, Dr. DKD Mathew, Dr. Pushpa Weerasinghe (Treasurer), Dr. Dumindu Wijewardana (Secretary), Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga (President), Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa (President Elect), Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana (Vice President), Dr. Thusitha Kahadduwa (Assistant Secretary), Dr. Kalpanie Wijewardana (Editor)

Standing (left to right):
Dr. H.R Thabavita, Dr. Densil Gunasekara, Dr. Kelum Pelpola, Dr. Medhani Hewagama, Dr. Dharshani Mallikarachchi, Dr. Ranga Perera, Dr. Lushanthi Kannangara

Absentees
Dr. Vijayabala Jeewagan, Dr. M. Niraj, Dr. Hematha Kumarihamy, Dr. Preethi Wijegoonawardena, Dr. K. Chandrasekar

Vision
A leading and respected profession dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of palliative and end-of-life care, enhancing the quality of life, comfort, and dignity of all people in Sri Lanka.
Mission
Collaborating to advance palliative medicine through professional education, advocacy, research, and compassionate clinical care, while fostering equitable and holistic support for patients and their families.