SLSG – Sri Lanka Society of Gastroenterology

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About Us

The Sri Lanka Society of Gastroenterology (SLSG) is the country’s foremost organization dedicated to the development and promotion of the fields of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The society prides itself on being one of the few specialty organizations in the country to be composed of members representing numerous specializations, resulting in a truly multi-disciplinary approach to achieving excellence in these fields.

The emergence of Gastroenterology as a specialty in medicine in Sri Lanka can be traced as far back as to 1965. There was steady growth in the field despite many obstacles, mainly due to the efforts of several pioneering figures in medical and surgical gastroenterology.

History of Sri Lanka Society of Gastroenterology

The inception of the society can be traced back to 1965, when the first flexible gastroscope was donated to the country by Prof Komei Nakayama, a giant in the field. Further advancements were made due to the untiring efforts of two pioneers in the field, Dr. Nihal Markus (physician) and Prof Dayasiri Fernando (surgeon), which resulted in the steady growth of the fields of gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy.

The SLSG was subsequently accepted and elected to the governing councils of both the Asia Pacific Society of Gastroenterology and the Asia Pacific Society of Digestive Endoscopy. A few years later in 1996, the Society was rewarded with the decision of the governing councils to hold a mini congress of the Asia Pacific in Sri Lanka.

The speciality of Gastroenterology (Surgical) was approved for training by the Postgraduate Institute in Medicine (PGIM) in 1990, thanks to the efforts of Prof. Dayasiri Fernando. In 1999, due to the untiring efforts of Prof. Janaka de Silva, Medical Gastroenterology was also recognized as a medical subspecialty. This paved the way for a new era for society as well as for the fields of Gastroenterology and Hepatology on the island.

Meet Council 2024

Prof. Madunil Niriella

President

Dr. Nandana Dinamithra

Joint Secretary

Dr Suchintha Thilakarathne

Joint Secretary

Dr. Nilesh Fernandopulle

Treasurer

Dr. Duminda Subasinghe

Editor

Dr. Chathuranga Keppetiyagama

President Elect

Dr. Jayani Manchanayake

Immediate Past President

Prof. Ishan De Zoysa

Past President Representatives

Dr. Sanjeewa Aryasinghe

Past President Representatives

Meet Council Members 2024

Dr. Rasika Bulathsinghela
Dr. Chinthaka De Silva
Dr. Sujeewa Kumarasena
Dr. Chamila Ranawaka
Dr. Vinayagamoorthy Thusynthan
Dr. Ushanth Dalpatadu
Dr. Kuleesha Kodisinghe
Dr. Tharanga Liyanarachchi
Dr. Vithiya Rishikesavan
Dr. Sumrdha Udumalagala
Dr. Hasitha Wijewantha
Dr. Uditha Dassanayake
Dr. Supun Kulathunga
Dr. Chathura Piyarathna
Dr. Eranga Thalagala
Dr. Isuru Upanishad