British High Commissioner Visits Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya
On the invitation of Professor Madawa Chandratilake, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, His Excellency Mr. Andrew Patrick, the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, visited the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, on 29 November 2024.
The primary objective of the visit was to engage with long-term international research collaborators working with the Faculty under the prestigious NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research), UK, grant schemes. For nearly a decade, the Faculty has conducted collaborative research funded by NIHR, fostering impactful contributions to health policy and practice.
The event was attended by Professor John Chambers, Director of the Global Health Research Unit for diabetes and cardiovascular disease among South Asians (GHRU South Asia) at Imperial College London, and collaborative researchers from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Singapore and the UK. The event was coordinated by Professor Anuradhani Kasturiratne, Co-Investigator of the GHRU South Asia project.
Dr. Supun Withana and Dr Maithree Rupasinghe from the Department of Family Medicine and Dr. Dilini Vipulaguna from the Ayati Centre, who are investigators of two other NIHR-funded projects, presented the significance of their research and its impact on shaping health policy and practice in Sri Lanka.
During his visit, the High Commissioner toured the Colombo North Centre for Liver Disease (CNCLD) and the Ayati Centre for Children with Disabilities. He expressed deep appreciation for the exceptional services provided by these specialised centers and the Faculty’s dedication to community well-being. Additionally, the High Commissioner expressed his willingness to facilitate further research collaborations between the UK and Sri Lanka, emphasising the potential for strengthening partnerships and advancing shared goals in healthcare and education.
HE Mr. Andrew Patrick also engaged in a cordial discussion with students from the Medical, Speech and Hearing Sciences, and Occupational Therapy programs, fostering inspiration and encouragement for their academic journeys.