Prof. Anuja P. Premawardena

Professor Anuja Premawardhena

MBBS (Perad'ya), MD (C'bo), MRCP (UK), FRCP (London), DPhil (Oxon), FCCP(SL), FNAS (SL)

Cadre Chair and Senior Professor
Department of Medicine

Specialization

Research Interests

Awards and fellowships

Undergraduate prizes:

(Commonwealth Bursary Award) for Medical Electives-Association of Commonwealth Universities Medical elective at the Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Hospital- Nairobi Kenya, 1992

Dunshoy Dhadabouy Gold Medal for Best Performance in Medicine: Final MBBS 1991: University of Peradeniya

Hazari Gold Medal for Best Performance at the Third MBBS Examination 1990 University of Peradeniya

Punchi Banda Panabokke Scholarship for greatest competence at the Third MBBS Examination 1990: University of Peradeniya

Mrs P.B. Panabokke Award for greatest competence in Forensic Medicine 1990: University of Peradeniya

Punchi Banda Panabokke and Mrs Panabokke Award for greatest competence in Pathology 1990: University of Peradeniya

Chalmer's Gold Medal for Anatomy 1985: University of Peradeniya

C.B Dharmasena Gold Medal for Anatomy 1985: University of Peradeniya

S. Weeratunga Gold Medal for Second MBBS Examination 1985: University of Peradeniya

Emilie Wickremasinghe Prize for Second MBBS Examination 1985: University of Peradeniya

University Scholarship for Second MBBS Examination 1985: University of Peradeniya

Later prizes and awards:

Dr E.A Seneviratna award ; 132^nd Sri Lanka Medical Association Anniversary sessions 2018- for paper titled “ 20 year follow up and survival analysis in a cohort of patients with haemoglobin E b thalassaemia in Sri Lanka”. 2019 July.

Prof Sir Nicolas Atygalle Award 132^nd Sri Lanka Medical Association Anniversary sessions 2018- for paper titled “Identifying haemoglobinopthy traits and iron deficiency in Sri Lanka using DCIP(dichloroindophenol acetic acid) and OF(osmotic fragility) tests and the measurement of red cell ZPP( zinc proto porphyrin level) 2019 July.

PEMSAA 2018 Congress Lecture (Oration) : Lecture titled “When genes talk; the story of Thalassaemia in Sri Lanka”

Sri Lanka Medical Association oration at the 131^st Anniversary sessions: talk titled “Iron deficiency anaemia in Sri Lanka: is it an overkill?”

Award for the Best presentation at the IPRC

E M Wijerama award for the best research paper- 131^st Sri Lanka Medical Association Anniversary sessions 2018- for paper titled “Anaemia among women in child-bearing age: Contributions of alpha- and beta- thalassaemia”

2^nd prize for the best paper at the ECSL Sri Lanka Congress of the Endocrine Society of Sri Lanka 2018 for the paper titled “Evaluation of Hypogonadism among β-Thalassemia Major, Thalassemia β-Intermedia and E β-Thalassemia patients in an adolescent and adult Thalassemia unit in Sri Lanka”

Frank Gunasekara prize for the best paper in public health at 130^th Sri Lanka Medical Association Anniversary sessions 2017- for paper titled “An island wide hospital based epidemiological survey of hemoglobinopathies and an assessment of standards off care in 23 centres”

T.C Fernando award- Sri Lanka Medical Association Anniversary sessions 2011- for paper titled “The Thal-index with the BTT prediction.exe to discriminate β-thalassaemia traits from other microcytic anaemias: Nishad Nilanga and Anuja Premawardhena”

E M Wijerama award for the best research paper- Sri Lanka Medical Association Anniversary sessions 2007- for paper titled “Techniques for primary screening for haemoglobinopathies in Sri Lanka: A comparison of single tube osmotic fragility (STOF) and dye test (DCIP) vs full blood count (FBC)” - Chief and presenting author

Sir Nicholas Attygalle Award - Sri Lanka Medical Association Anniversary sessions 2007- for paper titled “Symptoms and signs of β thalassaemia trait: results of the first comparative study” Chief and presenting author

Special Award in Cardiology- Sri Lanka Medical Association Anniversary sessions 2007- for paper titled- “Cardiac functions in older patients with haemoglobin E β thalassaemia” Chief and presenting author

M Wijerama award for the best research paper - Sri Lanka Medical Association Anniversary sessions 2005 “Using red cell indices for detection of Hb E trait in population screening for haemoglobin disorders” Chief and presenting author

Sri Lanka Medical Association Oration- Orator -2004 March 24- Anniversary sessions “Haemoglobin E- β thalassaemia why is it so variable?”

WeIIcome Trust (UK)- Research & Development award for Tropical Medicine- 2003 June for research on Haemoglobin E- β thalassaemia in Sri Lanka- principal investigator

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 1999

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2000

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2001

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2002

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2003

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2004

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2005

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2006

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2007

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2008

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2009

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2010

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2011

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2012

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2015

Presidential Award of Merit for contribution to scientific research 2017

MRF (Medical Research Fund) travel grant: Oxford UK 1999 December to attend American Society of Hematology sessions in New Orleans, USA.

M. Wijerama award for the best research paper. Sri Lanka Medical Association, Anniversary sessions -1999 April for paper titled "Low dose subcutaneous adrenaline to prevent acute adverse reactions to ant venom serum in people bitten by snakes: randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Commonwealth Scholarship - Association of Commonwealth Universities for Postgraduate studies (1998), to read for D.Phil. at University of Oxford UK

NARESA travel grant to attend International Medical Congress in Tropical Medicine & Malaria. Nagasaki, Japan. 1996 November

John Stokes Gold Medal for best performance at MD (Medicine) 1997

Publications

Book Chapters, Sections and Study Guides:

de Silva H.J, de Soysa N, Premawardena A.P., Fonseka M.M.D Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis B and C viruses in Sri Lanka. Transfusion Associated Hepatitis. New Delhi University Press.

Peer Reviewed Publications in Indexed journals:

A PremawardhanaAP, Mudiyanse R, De Silva ST, Jiffry N, Nelumdeniya U, de Silva U, Lamabadusuriya SP, Pushpakumara K, Dissanayaka R, Jansz M, Rifaya I, Navarathne U, Thirukumaran V, Arambepola M, Dayanada Bandara W, Vaidyanatha U, Mendis D, Weerasekara K, De Silva N, Shantha Kumara DK, Amarasena SD, Hemantha KK, Refai MACM, Silva I, Hameed N, Rajiyah F, Mettananda S, Allen A, Weatherall DJ, Oliveri NF. Nationwide survey of hospital based thalassaemia patients and standards of care and a preliminary assessment of the national prevention program in Sri Lanka nationwide survey of hospital-based thalassemia patients and standards of care and a preliminary assessment of the national prevention program in Sri Lanka. PLoS One. 2019 Aug 16;14(8)
A Allen, S Perera, L Perera, R Rodrigo, S Mettananda, A Matope, I Silva, Premawardhena A. A “one-stop” screening protocol for haemoglobinopathy traits and iron deficiency in Sri Lanka. Frontiers in molecular biosciences 6, 6
Perera S, Allen A, Silva I, Hapugoda M, Wickramarathne MN, Wijesiriwardena I, Allen S, Rees D, Efremov DG, Fisher CA, Weatherall DJ, Premawardhena A. Genotype-phenotype association analysis identifies the role of α globin genes in modulating disease severity of β thalassaemia intermedia in Sri Lanka. Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 12;9(1):10116
Premawardhena A, Fernando R, Kumarage S, Nishad N, Goonatilleke D, Silva I, Mettananda S. Place for elective cholecystectomy for patients with severe thalassaemia: a retrospective case control study. BMC Res Notes. 2019 Apr 29;12(1):245.
Premawardhena A, Ranawaka U, Pilapitiya T, Weerasinghe G, Hapangama A, Hettiarachchi S, Pathmeswaran A, Salvin K, Silva I, Hameed N, Weatherall M, Olivieri N, Weatherall D. Headache: an important symptom possibly linked to white matter lesions in thalassaemia. Br J Haematol. 2019 May;185(3):541-548.
Allen A, Premawardhena A, Allen S, Rodrigo R, Manamperi A, Perera L, Wray K, Armitage A, Fisher C, Drakesmith A, Robson K, Weatherall D. The p.H63D allele of the HFE gene protects against low iron stores in Sri Lanka. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2019 May;76:72-77
Mettananda S, Pathiraja H, Peiris R, Wickramarathne N, Bandara D, de Silva U, Mettananda C, Premawardhena A. Blood transfusion therapy for β-thalassemia major and hemoglobin E β-thalassemia: Adequacy, trends, and determinants in Sri Lanka. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2019 May;66(5)
Patel P, Beamish P, da Silva TL, Kaushalya D, Premawardhena A, Williams S, et a Examining depression and quality of life in patients with thalassemia in Sri Lanka. Int J Non‑Commun Dis 2019;4:27‑33
Premawardhena A and Perera PS. Anaemia in Sri Lanka: the missing pieces. Ceylon Med. J. 2018; 63(3):105-107
Rodrigo R, Allen A, Manampreri A, Perera L, Fisher CA, Allen S and Premawardhena A. Haemoglobin variants, iron status and anaemia in Sri Lankan adolescents with low red cell indices: A cross sectional survey. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2018; 71:11-15
Suriapperuma T, Peiris R, Mettananda C, Premawardhena A, Mettananda S. Body iron status of children and adolescents with transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia: trends of serum ferritin and associations of optimal body iron control. BMC Res Notes. 2018;11(1):547
Mettananda S, Suranjan M, Fernando R, Dias T, Mettananda C, Rodrigo R, Perera L, Gibbons R, Premawardhena A and Higgs D. Anaemia among females in child-bearing age: Relative contributions, effects an interaction of α and β-thalassaemia. PLoS One. 2018 ;13(11): e0206928. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206928.
Premathilaka LHRA, Lakmini MS, Dharshana LGT, Nawaratne SB, Mettananda S, De Silva ST, Premawardhena AP. Stroke in sickle cell beta thalassemia-a case report highlighting pitfalls in management in a low prevalence country. Sri Lanka Journal of Medicine 2017; 26(2):55–57.
Angela Allen, Stephen Allen, Rexan Rodrigo, Lakshman Perera, Wei Shao, Chao Li, Duolao Wang, Nancy Olivieri, David J Weatherall, Anuja Premawardhena. Iron status and anaemia in Sri Lankan secondary school children: A cross-sectional survey. PLoS ONE 12(11): e0188110. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0188110
Premawardhena A, Allen A, Piel F, Fisher C, Perera L, Rodrigo R, Goonathilaka G, Ramees L, Peto T, Olivieri N and Weatherall D. The evolutionary and clinical implications of the uneven distribution of the frequency of the inherited haemoglobin variants over short geographical distances. Br J Haematol. 2017;176(3):475-484.
Wray K, Allen A, Evans E, Fisher C, Premawardhena A, Perera L, Rodrigo Goonathilaka G, Ramees L, Webster C, Armitage AE, Prentice AM, Weatherall DJ, Drakesmith H, Pasricha SR. Hepcidin detects iron deficiency in Sri Lankan adolescents with a high burden of hemoglobinopathy: A diagnostic test accuracy study. Am J Hematol. 2017; 92(2):196-203.
Jones E, Pasricha SR, Allen A, Evans P, Fisher CA, Wray K, Premawardhena A, Bandara D, Perera A, Webster C, Sturges P, Olivieri NF, St Pierre T, Armitage AE, Porter JB, Weatherall DJ and Drakesmith H. Hepcidin is suppressed by erythropoiesis in hemoglobin E β-thalassemia and β-thalassemia trait. Blood. 2015; 125(5):873-80
Perera PS, Silva I, Hapugoda M, Wickramarathne MN, Wijesiriwardena I, Efremov DG, Fisher CA, Weatherall DJ and Premawardhena A. Rare hemoglobin variants: Hb G-Szuhu (HBB: c.243C>G), Hb G-Coushatta (HBB: c.68A>C) and Hb Mizuho (HBB: c.206T>C) in Sri Lankan families. Hemoglobin. 2015; 39(1):62-5.
Nishad AA, de Silva IS, Perera HL, Pathmeswaran A, Kastutiratne KT, Premawardhena AP. Role of red cell distribution width in screening for Hb E trait in population screening for hemoglobin disorders. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2014; 36(8): e490-2
Suresh S, Fisher C, Ayyub H, Premawardhena A, Allen A, Perera A, Bandara D, Olivieri N, Weatherall D. Alpha thalassaemia and extended alpha globin genes in Sri Lanka. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2013; 50(2):93-8
Nilanga N & Premawardhena The Thal-index with the BTT prediction.exe to discriminate β-thalassaemia traits from other microcytic anaemias. Thalassaemia Reports. 2012; l2(1)
Nishad AAN, Herath R, Silva GRC, Mohamed R, Wijesinghe P, Padumadasa S, Premawardhena A, Premaratna, R . A fatal case of dissecting aortic root aneurysm due to undiagnosed Marfan syndrome in the puerperium. Sri Lanka Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2012; 34: 55-57.
Allen A, Fisher C, Premawardhena A, Bandara D, Perera A, Allen S, St Pierre T, Olivieri N and Weatherall DJ. Methemoglobinemia and ascorbate deficiency in hemoglobin E β thalassemia: metabolic and clinical implications. Blood. 2012 ;120(15):2939-44
Sankaran VG, Xu J, Byron R, Greisman HA, Fisher C, Weatherall DJ, Sabath DE, Groudine M, Orkin SH, Premawardhena A and Bender MA. A functional element necessary for fetal hemoglobin silencing. N Engl J Med. 2011; 365(9):807-14.
Mettananda KC, De Silva ST and PremawardhenaMycotic aneurysm of the descending aorta due to Aspergillus species. Ceylon Med J. 2010; 55(1):20-1.
Olivieri NF, Thayalsuthan V, O'Donnell A, Premawardhena A, Rigobon C, Muraca G, Fisher C and Weatherall DJ. Emerging insights in the management of hemoglobin E beta thalassemia. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010; 1202:155-7
Allen A, Fisher C, Premawardhena A, Peto T, Allen S, Arambepola M, Thayalsutha V, Olivieri N and Weatherall D. Adaptation to anemia in hemoglobin E-ß thalassemia. 2010; 116(24):5368-70.
Balasooriya BL, Fonseka HF, Williams S and Premawardhena A. Oro-genital ulcers with a positive pathergy test in acute myeloid leukaemia. Ceylon Med J. 2009; 54(4):131-2
O'Donnell A, Premawardhena A, Arambepola M, Samaranayake R, Allen SJ, Peto TE, Fisher CA, Cook J, Corran PH, Olivieri NF and Weatherall DJ. Interaction of malaria with a common form of severe thalassemia in an Asian population. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2009; 106(44):18716-21
Lok CY, Merryweather-Clarke AT, Viprakasit V, Chinthammitr Y, Srichairatanakool S, Limwongse C, Oleesky D, Robins AJ, Hudson J, Wai P, Premawardhena A, de Silva HJ, Dassanayake A, McKeown C, Jackson M, Gama R, Khan N, Newman W, Banait G, Chilton A, Wilson-Morkeh I, Weatherall DJ and Robson KJ. Iron overload in the Asian community. Blood. 2009; 114(1):20-5.
Premawardhena A, Arambepola M, Katugaha N and Weatherall DJ. Is the beta thalassaemia trait of clinical importance? Br J Haematol.2008; 141(3):407-10.
Olivieri NF, Muraca GM, O'Donnell A, Premawardhena A, Fisher C and Weatherall DJ. Studies in haemoglobin E beta-thalassaemia. Br J Haematol. 2008; 141(3):388-97.
O'Donnell A, Premawardhena A, Arambepola M, Allen SJ, Peto TE, Fisher CA, Rees DC, Olivieri NF and Weatherall DJ. Age-related changes in adaptation to severe anemia in childhood in developing countries. Proc Natl Acad Sci 2007; 104(22):9440-4.
Gunasekara AD, Premawardhena AP, Hettiarachchi H, Ratnasena BG and de Silva HJ. Cushing syndrome due to an adrenal phaeochromocytoma. Ceylon Med J. 2006; 51(2):66-7.
Premawardhena A, Fisher CA, Olivieri NF, de Silva S, Sloane-Stanley J, Wood WG and Weatherall DJ. A novel molecular basis for beta thalassemia intermedia poses new questions about its pathophysiology. 2005; 106(9):3251-5.
Premawardhena A, Fisher CA, Olivieri NF, de Silva S, Arambepola M, Perera W, O'Donnell A, Peto TE, Viprakasit V, Merson L, Muraca G and Weatherall DJ. Haemoglobin E beta thalassaemia in Sri Lanka. Lancet. 2005; 366(9495):1467-70.
Premawardhena A, De Silver S, Arambepola M, Olivieri NF, Vichinsky EP, Merson L, Muraco G, Allen A, Fisher C, Peto T, Weatherall DJ. Hemoglobin E-beta-thalassemia: Progress report from the International Study Group. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2005; 1054:33-9.
Premawardhena A, De Silva S, Arambepola M, Olivieri N, Merson L, Muraco J, Allen A, Fisher C, Peto T, Vichinsky E and Weatherall D. Thalassemia in Sri Lanka: a progress report. Hum Mol Genet. 2004; 1(2): R203-6.
Fisher CA, Premawardhena A, de Silva S, Perera G, Rajapaksa S, Olivieri NA, Old JM, Weatherall DJ; The Sri Lanka Thalassaemia Study Group. The molecular basis for the thalassaemias in Sri Lanka. Br J Haematol. 2003; 121(4):662-71.
Premawardhena A, Fisher CA, Liu YT, Verma IC, de Silva S, Arambepola M, Clegg JB, Weatherall DJ. The global distribution of length polymorphisms of the promoters of the glucuronosyltransferase 1 gene (UGT1A1): hematologic and evolutionary implications. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2003; 31(1):98-101.
Gunatilake SB, Jayasekera BA, Premawardene AP. Stroke subtypes in Sri Lanka--a hospital-based study. Ceylon Med J. 2001; 46(1):19-20.
Premawardhena A, Fisher CA, Fathiu F, de Silva S, Perera W, Peto TE, Olivieri NF and Weatherall DJ. Genetic determinants of jaundice and gallstones in haemoglobin E beta thalassaemia. Lancet. 2001; 357(9272):1945-6.
de Silva S, Fisher CA, Premawardhena A, Lamabadusuriya SP, Peto TE, Perera G, Old JM, Clegg JB, Olivieri NF, Weatherall DJ. Thalassaemia in Sri Lanka: implications for the future health burden of Asian populations. Sri Lanka Thalassaemia Study Group. Lancet. 2000; 355(9206):786-91.
Olivieri NF, De Silva S, Premawardena A, Sharma S, Viens AM, Taylor CM, Brittenham GM and Weatherall DJ. Iron overload and iron-chelating therapy in hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2000; 22(6):593-7
Premawardhena AP, de Silva CE, Fonseka MM, Gunatilake SB and de Silva HJ. Low dose subcutaneous adrenaline to prevent acute adverse reactions to antivenom serum in people bitten by snakes: randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Br. Med. J.1999; 318(7190):1041-3.
Premawardhena AP, Premaratne R, Jayaweera G, Costa S, Chandrasena LG and de Silva HJ. Hepatitis B and C virus markers among new entrant medical students. Ceylon Med J. 1999; 44(3):120-2.
Premawardena AP, Seneviratne SL, Gunatilake SB and de Silva HJ. Excessive fibrinolysis: the coagulopathy following Merrem's hump-nosed viper (Hypnale hypnale) bites. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1998; 58(6):821-3.
Premawardene AP and Wijesuriya LM. Massive hepatomegaly in multiple myeloma. Ceylon Med J. 1997; 42(1):40-1
Premawardena AP, Seneviratne SL, Jayanthi S, Gunatilake SB and de Silva HJ. Coagulopathy and fibrinolysis following the bite of a hump-nosed viper (Hypnale hypnale). Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1996; 90(3):293
Seneviratne SL, Premawardena AP, Ranasinghe GW, Gunatilake SB and de Silva HJ. Apical cardiomyopathy: an important differential diagnosis in ischaemic chest pain. Ceylon Med J. 1996; 41(3):109-10.
Gunatilake S. Seneviratne SL, Premawardene AP, de Silva HJ Atlanto-axial subluxation: importance of early recognition. Kandy Med J. 1995; 5(1):26-27

Publications in Conference Proceedings (Oral and Poster Presentations)

Goonatilake MDDC, De Silva ST,Premawardhena AP et al.” Marriage patterns in Sri Lanka and the role of consanguinity in thalassaemia: a cross sectional descriptive analysis. 132^nd Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo. July 2019
Perera S. Premawardhena A,Mettananda S, et al. “Identifying haemoglobinopthy traits and iron deficiency in Sri Lanka using DCIP(dichloroindophenol acetic acid) and OF(osmotic fragility) tests and the measurement of red cell ZPP( zinc proto porphyrin level) levels. 132^nd Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo. July 2019.
NF Olivieri, A Premawardhena, A Sabouhanian, S de Silva, M Aramabepola, D Bandara, S. Mettananda, D. Ediriweera, A Allen, D Weatherall. 20 year follow up and survival analysis and in a cohort of patients with haemoglobin E b thalassaemia. 132^nd Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo. July 2019.
Mettananda S, Premawardhena A and Higgs D. Anaemia among women in child-bearing age: Contributions of alpha- and beta-thalassaemia. 131^th Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo. July 2018.
de Silva ST, Amarasena P, Dias D and Premawardhena A. Pseudo polycythemia and its association with cardio-metabolic risk factors: a preliminary descriptive analysis from a tertiary care hospital. 131^th Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo. July 2018.
Abeysundara PK, Nilanga N and Premawardhena A When do people go to work after dengue? A community based descriptive study. 51^st Annual Academic Sessions, Ceylon College of Physicians. Galadari Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka. September 2018.
Darshana T, Perera N, Manamperi A and Premawardhena A. Possible Application of Sickling Test in Haemoglobinopathy Screening of Sri Lanka. 19^th Conference on Postgraduate Research, International Postgraduate Research Conference. Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. 2018.
Olivieri NF, Chan H, Rea ED, Sabouhanian A, Wadanamby S, Senadeera D, Walgamage M, Walgamage T, Seneviratne P, Premawardhena A, Allen A, Rees D, Weatherall DJ and Yamashita R. Evaluation of quality of life in sri lankan patients with thalassemia pediatric blood & cancer 65.
Olivieri NF, Chandrakumaran P, Jayawardena S, Sabouhanian A, Premawardhena A, Mettananda S, Senadeera D, Wadanamby S, Walgamage M, Walgamage T, Seneviratne P, Silva I, Hameed N, Bandara D, Nimal JM, Chan H, Shanmugananatham S, Deb B, Yamashita R, Rees D, Allen A and Weatherall DJ. Experience with the iron-chelator deferasirox in sri lankan patients with thalassemia. Pediatric blood & cancer 65
Olivieri NF, Premawardhena A, Allen A, Sabouhanian A, Mettananda S, Chan H, Wadanamby S, Senadeera D, Walgamage M, Walgamage T, Seneviratne P, Shanmugananatham S, Uthayakumaran S, Deb B, Bandara D, Yamashita R, Rees D and Weatherall DJ. Twenty-year follow-up of patients with hemoglobin e thalassemia in sri lanka. Pediatric blood & cancer 65
Premwardhena AP, Mudiyanse et al. An Islandwide hospital based epidemiological survey of haemoglobinopathies and an assessment of standards of care in 23 centres. 130^th Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo. July 2017.
Premawardhena A, Ranawaka U, Hapangama A, Pathmeswaran A, Hettiarchchi S. Salvin K. Pilapitiya T, Sanjaya G, Olivieri NF and Weatherall DJ “Silent” white matter changes in the brain MRI in patients with haemoglobinopathies and their clinical significance. 129^th Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo. July 2016.
Perera, PS, Silva, DP. SI, Hapugoda, M, Wickramarathne, MN, Wijesiriwardena, I, Efremov, DG, Fisher, CA, Weatherall, DJ and Premawardhena, A. 2015. Correlation of Genotype with Phenotype in β Thalassaemia Intermedia in Sri Lanka. 2^nd PAN Asian Conference on Haemoglobinopathies. pp 101
Perera PS, Silva DPSI, Hapugoda M, Wickramarathne MN, Wijesiriwardena I, Efremov DG, Fisher CA, Weatherall DJ and Premawardhena A Clinical and molecular heterogeneity of beta thalassaemia intermedia in Sri Lanka. 128^th Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo. July 2015.
Perera S, Niriella M, Peries M, Nelumdeniya U, Dissanayake D, de Silva D, de Silva HJ and Premawardhena AP. HCV and HBV infection among a cohort of thalassaemia patients. 128^th Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo. July 2015.
Premawardhena A, Fernando R, Kumarage S, Nishad N and de Silva I. Elective Cholecystectomy Is Associated With Increased Morbidity And Mortality In Patients With Severe Thalassemia: A Retrospective Case Control Study. Europian Society of Haematology 2015, Vienna
Rodriao BKRP, Perera HL, Branava U, Weatherall DJ and Premawardhena AP. Micro Mapping Of Common Alpha Thalassaemia Deletions (3.7 Kb, 4.2 Kb) In Sri Lanka And Assessment Of The Contribution Of Alpha Thalassemia To Hypochromic Microcytosis. 127^th Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo Sri Lanka. 2014.
Jones E, Allen A, Evans P, Fisher C, Pasricha S, Premawardhena A, Olivieri NF, Porter J, Pierre TS, Drakesmith H and Weatherall DJ. Differences In Hepcidin Regulation Distinguish Mild And Severe Phenotypes Of E-Beta Thalassaemia. American Society of Hematology International congress. New Orleans USA. 2013.
Porter J, Allen A, Perera A, Bandara D, Karunawathi AB, Premawardhena AP, Weatherall DJ and Olivieri NF. Assessment of Non-Transfusional Iron Accumulation In Asian Patients With Hemoglobin E β Thalassemia. American Society of Hematology International congress. New Orleans USA.
Perera PS, Silva DPSI, Hapugoda M, Wickramarathne MN, Wijesiriwardena I, Efremov DG, Fisher CA, Weatherall DJ and Premawardhena A. Characterisation of the beta globin gene mutations in patients with beta thalassaemia intermedia in Sri Lanka. 126^th Annual scientific sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo. July 2013
Perera PS, Silva DPSI, Hapugoda M, Wickramarathne MN, Wijesiriwardena I, Efremov DG, Fisher CA, Weatherall DJ and Premawardhena A. Molecular analysis of beta thalassaemia intermedia in Sri Lanka. 13^th International conference on haemoglobinopathies. Thalassaemia International Federation world congress. Abu Dhabi. 2013.
Perera PS, Silva DPSI, Hapugoda M, Wickramarathne MN, Wijesiriwardena I, Efremov DG, Fisher CA, Weatherall DJ and Premawardhena A. Characterization of beta globin mutations in Sri Lankan Patients with beta thalassemia intermedia. 126^th Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo Sri 2012.
What do thalassaemia major patients feel and their expectations from life. 125^th Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo Sri Lanka. 2012.
A study of perioperative complications of cholecystectomy among patients with thalassaemia: should cholecystectomy be considered in asymptomatic thalassemic patients 44^thAnnual Academic sessions of the Ceylon College of Physicians. 2011.
Nandasiri ASD, Dissakaruna AMDD, Silva DPSI, Nishad AAN and Premawardhena A. Do thalassaemic patients, their parents and caregivers support termination of pregnancy as a method for thalassaemia prevention? 124^th Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo Sri Lanka. 2011.
Pulmonary artery hypertension in thalassaemia patients- does splenectomy and disease severity increase the risk. 124^thAnniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo Sri Lanka. 2011.
Nilanga N and Premawardhena A The Thal-index with the βTT prediction.exe to discriminate β-thalassaemia traits from other microcytic anaemias. 124^th Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo Sri Lanka. 2011.
Kumarasena RS, De Silva AP, Keragala BSDP, Premarathna BAHR, Thilakaratne PMYI, Premawardena AP, De Silva ST, Jayamanna SF and De Silva HJ. Liver dysfunction and its outcome in patients with dengue infection. 123^rd Anniversary sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association: 2010.
Nilanga N and Premawardhena A. Parental awareness and cascade screening of thalassemia: 122^nd Anniversary Sri Lanka Medical Association sessions 2009.
Boteju WIK, Nawaratne ACR, Somarathne CK, Balasooriya BLPP, Senarath RJK, Wijebandara, Mandawala MBSN, Ruwanpathirana T, Kasturiratne A, Rathnasena BGN, Fernando P, Fernando S, Wijesinghe P and Premawardhena AP. A descriptive study of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. 121^th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, Colombo Sri Lanka. 2008.
Premawardhena AP, Wanninayake S, Dolapihilla SN, Kapuruge L, Katugaha N, Olivieri NF, Weatherall DJ. Cardiac functions in older patients with haemoglobinE β thalassaemia. 120^th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, Colombo Sri Lanka: 2007
William HSA, Wijesoma A, Costa Y and Premawardhena A. HPLC findings on patients with anaemia in Anuradhapura. 120^th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, Colombo Sri Lanka: 2007
Premawardhena AP, Weerasinghe M, Kottacahi D, Arambepola M, Katugaha N, Samarakoon S, Olivieri NF and Weatherall DJ. Symptoms and signs of β thalassaemia trait: results of the first comparative study. 120^th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, Colombo Sri Lanka. 2007
Premawardhena AP, Williams S, Idirisinghe A, Allen A, Olivieri NF and Weatherall DJ. Techniques for primary screening for heaemoglobinopathies in Sri Lanka: A comparison of single tube osmotic fragility (STOF) and dye test (DCIP) vs full blood count (FBC). 120^th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, Colombo Sri Lanka. (EA WIJERAMA award for best research paper) 2008.
Premawardhena AP, Kottachachichi D, Arambepola M, Oliveri NF and Weatherall DJ. Symptoms and signs of beta thalassaemia trait: results of the first controlled study. International Conference on Emerging trends in Haematology and Immunohematology, Mumbai India February 2007.
Premawardhena A, Arambepola M and Weatherall D. Variable phenotypes of haemoglobin D in Sri Lankan patients. 119^th Anniversary Sri Lanka Medical Association Annual sessions. Colombo Sri Lanka. March, 2006.
Premawardhena AP, Samarakoon S, Perera U, Samaranayake R, and Arambepola M. Sing red cell indices as a screening test for the detection of haemoglobin E trait in population screening for haemoglobin disorders. 118^th Anniversary Sri Lanka Medical Association Annual sessions. Colombo Sri Lanka March 2005. (EM WIJERAMA (prize for best research paper)
Premawardhena AP, Malewana T, Weerasinghe M, Samaranayake R, Perera U and Arambepola M. Re-appraisal of symptoms and signs of uncomplicated β thalassaemia trait. 118^th Anniversary Sri Lanka Medical Association Annual sessions. March
Premawardhena AP, Arambepola M, de Silva S, Olivieri NF and Weatherall DJ. Paraspinal extramedullary erythropoiesis- a rare cause of spinal cord compression: two case reports. 117^th Anniversary Sri Lanka Medical Association Annual sessions. Colombo, Sri Lanka March 2004. (Poster)
Premawardhena AP, Arambepola M, Fisher CA, Olivieri NF and Weatherall DJ. Response of jaundice to phenobabrbitone in thalassaemia patients co-inheriting Gilbert's syndrome. 117^th Anniversary Sri Lanka Medical Association Annual sessions. Colombo, Sri Lanka March 2004.
Premawardena AP, Malewana T, Arambepola M, Olivieri NF and Weatherall DJ. Reappraisal of Symptoms and Signs of Uncomplicated Beta Thalassemia Trait. American Society of Haematology. San Diego California 4-7 December 2004.
Premawardhena AP, Weerasinghe OMMS and Vipulanayake UKT. Increasing Incidence of Paracetamol Poisoning in Deliberate Self Harm (DSH) in Sri Lanka. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2004
Premawardhena AP, de Silva S, Fisher CA, Oliveri NF and Weatherall DJ. Co-inheritance of excessive alpha genes in patients with beta thalassaemia trait: 2 case studies. 116^th Anniversary Sri Lanka Medical Association Annual sessions Colombo Sri Lanka. March, 2003.
Premawardhena AP, Fisher CA, Liu YT and Weatherall DJ. Global distribution of UGT1A1 polymorphisms. 116^thAnniversary Sri Lanka Medical Association Annual sessions. March 2003.
Premawardhena A, de Silva S, Perera W, Arambepola M, Fathiu F, Senvirathne NP, Pippard MJ, Brittenham GM, Fleming KA, Merson L, Weatherall DJ, Vichinsky E and NF Olivieri. Iron Loading in Haemoglobin E Beta Thalassemia. American Society of Haematology. Philadelphia Pennsylvania 6-10 December 2002.
Taylor CM, DiMonte L, Waye J, Weatherall DJ, Premawardena A, Efremov G, Dimovski A, Weerasinghe D, Zisovski N and NF Olivieri. Response to sodium phenylbutyrate and hydroxyurea in thalassemia: Possible effect of marrow expansion on augmentation of foetal haemoglobin (HbF). American Society of Haematology. San Francisco California 1-5 December 2000.
Fisher CA, Premawardhena A, De Silva S, Perera G, Lamabadusuriya SP, Peto TEA, Clegg JB, Olivieri NF, Weatherall DJ and JM Old. Thalassaemia in Sri Lanka: A Molecular Basis. American Society of Hematology. New Orleans USA 3-7 December 1999.
Sharma S, Premawardena AP, Fathihu F, DeSilva S, DeSilva L, Vichinsky EP, Weatherall DJ and Olivieri NF. Natural history study of hemoglobin E/beta thalassemia: The impact of splenectomy on growth and steady-state hemoglobin levels. American Society of Hematology. New Orleans USA 3-7 December 1999.
Olivieri NF, Sharma S, De Silva S, Premawardena AP, Viens AM, Taylor CM, Symes KM, Vichinsky EP, Brittenham GM and Weatherall DJ. Impact of a low transfusion regimen on growth and iron loading in haemoglobin E/b thalassamia (Hb E/Thal). American Society of Hematology. New Orleans USA 3-7 December 1999.
Premawardhena AP, de Silva C, de Fonseka MM, Gunathilake SB and de Silva HJ. Low dose subcutaneous adrenaline in the prevention of acute adverse reactions to antivenom serum. 112^th Anniversary Sri Lanka Medical Association Annual sessions. April 1999. (EM WIJERAMA AWARD for best paper)
Gunathilake SB and Premawardena AP. Intracerebral haemorrhge - risk factors, sub types and mortality. 111^th Anniversary SLMA anniversary Academic Sessions.Colombo. March 1998.
Gunathilake SB and Premawardena AP. Stroke sub types in Sri Lanka. 110^th Anniversary SriLanka Medical Association Academic Sessions. March 1997.
Premawardhena AP, Gunathilake SB and de Silva HJ. Hepatitis B and C virus markers among new entrant medical students. 15^th International Congress in Tropical Medicine and Malaria. Nagasaki, Japan, November 1996.
Premawardhena AP, Premarathne R, Jayaweera G, Costa S, Chandrasena LG and de Silva HJ. Haemostatic dysfunction following Hypnale bite. 15^th International Congress in Tropical Medicine and Malaria, Nagasaki, Japan, November 1996.
Premawardhena, AP, Gunathilake SB and de Silva, HJ. Haemostatic dysfunction following Hypnale bites. 3^rd International Medical Congress, Kandy Sri Lanka. August 1996.
Senevirathne SL, de Silva HJ, Gunathilake SB, Premawardhena A and Ranasinghe G. Omission of early aspirin therapy in suspected myocardial infarction by primary care doctors. 109^th Anniversary Academic Sessions, Sri Lanka Medical Association. Colombo, March 1996.
Premawardhena AP,.Kasturiarachchi N, Senaratne DC,.EIIawala NS and de Silva HJ. Associations between mental disorders and attempted suicide. 125^th Anniversary of Colombo Medical School - International Medical Congress. Colombo, July 1995.
Premawardhena AP and Pethiyagoda AUB. An apparatus to test cardio-respiratory fitness. NARESA Symposium of Medical Students. Colombo, 1986.