Welcome

Welcome to the information page for Sri Lanka. Here you can find information about the Sri Lanka Herpes Study Group.

The Sri Lanka Herpes Study Group, inaugurated in July 1997, comprises 14 key doctors of varying specialities and is chaired by Dr (Mrs) Iyanthi Abeyewickreme, Consultant Venerologist and Director, National STD/AIDS Control Programme of Sri Lanka.

Group objectives, based on those of the IHMF^®, are primarily focused on improving the management of herpes infections in Sri Lanka. Meetings are held on a quarterly basis, where sharing of knowledge and ideas take place by means of presentations and discussions.

The group has actively participated in Regional Medical Association meetings and Annual Scientific Sessions, in the form of guest lectures and panel discussions.

The group launched a 'Herpes Management Guidelines' booklet at the monthly sessions of the Independent Medical Practitioners Association in April 2000. The distinguished gathering of around 150 doctors included members of the College of Dermatologists and Venereologists. The response to the book has been very favourable with requests coming in from the general practitioners to receive copies.

Aims & Objectives

• Improvement of the management of herpesvirus infections

• Education of healthcare workers on herpesvirus infections

• Education of the public, especially about prevention

Members of the Study Group

Dr Iyanthi Abeywickrema (Chairperson)
Consultant Venereologist &
Director, STD/AIDS Control Programme
Colombo 10

Dr D N Atukorale
Formerly Senior Consultant Dermatologist
National Hospital of Sri Lanka
Colombo 10

Dr Champa Banagala
Consultant Opthalmic Surgeon
Eye Hospital
Colombo 10

Dr Vasanthi Bandaranayake
Consultant Virologist
Medical Research Institute
Colombo 10

Dr Gaya Colombage
Consultant Virologist
Medical Research Institute
Colombo 10

Professor Sirimalee Fernando
Professor of Microbiology
Faculty of Medical Sciences
University of Sri Jayawardenepura
Nugegoda

Dr Devakanthi Gunaratne
Consultant Neonatologist
De Soysa Hospital for Women &
Castle Street Hospital for Women
Colombo 8

Profesor Saman Gunatilleke
Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Kelaniya
Ragama

Dr Lucian Jayasuriya
Medical Advisor
GlaxoSmithKline
Moratuwa

Mr Rohan Nanayakkara
Regulatory Affairs Manager
GlaxoSmithKline
Moratuwa

Dr W D H Perera
Formerly Consultant Dermatologist
National Hospital of Sri Lanka
Colombo 10

Dr Kolitha Sellahewa
Consultant Physician
Colombo South Teaching Hospital
Dehiwela

Dr Hemantha Senanayake
Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Faculty of Medicine
University of Colombo
Colombo 8

Dr Kumar Weerasekera
Consultant Oncologist
Cancer Institute
Maharagama

Dr Preethi Wijegunawardene
Family Physician
Colombo 8

Dr Omala Wimalaratne
Consultant Virologist & Vaccinologist
Medical Research Institute
Colombo 8

Current Activities and Future Plans

• Meetings of the Study Group

• Contributions by members of Group to continuing medical education.

• Compiled book on Varicella Zoster Virus Infection in 2003. It was well accepted by the medical profession in Sri Lanka.

Meetings

Meetings are held together with the Communicable Diseases Study Group of Sri Lanka.

Publication

Herpes Study Group, Sri Lanka, Colombo: Ananda Press, 2000; pp43
(This book received a positive review in the Ceylon Medical Journal – Vol.45 Dec. 2000)

Varicella zoster virus infections. Herpes Study Group, Sri Lanka. Colombo: Ananda Press, 2003; pp40