The College speaks to the public through the media on the public health issues facing Sri Lanka — through media statements and communiqués, media seminars and briefings, public colloquia and broadcast contributions.
Media statements and communiqués
| Date | Statement | Read (PDF) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 November 2022 | Media statement on Mpox (monkeypox) Issued after the first case of Mpox was reported in Sri Lanka, setting out the current situation and the precautions the public should take. | Sinhala |
| 22 February 2021 | Press release: Implementation of the scientifically recommended vaccine priority list Calling for the COVID-19 vaccination programme to follow the priority list approved by the National Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases. | English · Sinhala |
| October 2020 | Enhancing the Sri Lankan response to COVID-19 — Communiqué from the CCPSL Proposals to keep the epidemic response in step with the changing course of COVID-19. | English |
| 23 September 2020 | Media release on attempts to legalise cannabis in Sri Lanka The College’s public health position on proposals to legalise cannabis. | English · Sinhala · Tamil |
| 9 April 2020 | Proposals for strategic planning to address the current situation of the COVID-19 epidemic — Second Communiqué Endorsing the whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach and setting out proposals for the next phase of the response. | English · Sinhala |
| 30 March 2020 | Flattening the epidemic curve of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka: the public health response — A Communiqué from the CCPSL The College’s first COVID-19 communiqué, issued soon after the first local case, on the public health measures needed to flatten the epidemic curve. | English · Sinhala · Tamil |
Media seminars and briefings
Media Seminar: Future Challenges of Public Health in Sri Lanka — 30 January 2025
A media seminar for journalists, held from 11.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. at the Auditorium of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, No. 6, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07. All media personnel were invited to discuss the public health challenges Sri Lanka will face in the years ahead.
Media Briefing on Disease and Injury Prevention Amidst Adverse Weather Events — 5 June 2024
A webinar and media briefing on preventing disease and injury during the floods and adverse weather of June 2024.
Media Seminar on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention — 27 November 2018
Organised by the Health Promotion Bureau and the College at the Auditorium of the Health Promotion Bureau, from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon. Welcome speech: Dr. Paba Palihawadana, Director, Health Education and Publicity. Speakers: Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana, President of the College; Dr. Nimali Wijegoonewardene, Ministry of Health; Prof. Ashvini Fernando, Professor of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya; Mr. Hans Bilimoria, Director, The Grass Rooted Trust; and Ms. Yasali, Legal Officer, National Child Protection Authority.
Media event marking the 90th anniversary of the origin of the College — 22 November 2017
A media event at 10.00 a.m. on 22 November 2017 at the Auditorium of the Health Education Bureau, marking 90 years since the founding of the Society of Medical Officers of Health on 26 November 1927.
| Proposed agenda | Speaker |
|---|---|
| Introduction and the objective of the event | Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, Consultant Community Physician; Chairman, Subcommittee on Media Advocacy |
| Public health achievements of Sri Lanka and the role of the Community Physician | |
| Public health challenges in future Sri Lanka | Dr. H.D.B. Herath, Consultant Community Physician; President of the College |
| Discussion | |
| Vote of thanks |
Media kit: Story of malaria elimination in Sri Lanka (Dr. H.D.B. Herath) · History of the College · The College: objectives and strategic directions (PDF).
Public colloquia
| Date | Colloquium |
|---|---|
| 16 July 2025 | Colloquium on Termination of Pregnancy in Situations of Congenital Lethal Malformations — with UNFPA Sri Lanka, at the Global Public Health Summit 2025, Hilton Residencies, 3.00–4.30 p.m. The colloquium considered the medical, legal and ethical dimensions of the issue. |
| 20 February 2025 | Storytelling Night: Sri Lankan Public Health History in Stories |
In the news
Press coverage of the College’s statements and events.
| Date | Article | Publication |
|---|---|---|
| 26 August 2025 | Community physicians now up in arms against Cannabis cultivation, writes to Prez The College wrote to the President asking him to reconsider approving cannabis cultivation. | Daily Mirror |
| 20 October 2024 | CCPSL to ensure that every baby thrives and every community flourishes The induction of Dr. Kapila Jayaratne as President. | Sunday Times |
| 1 September 2024 | Link between climate and health The inauguration of the 29th Annual Academic Sessions and the oration on climate and health. | Sunday Times |
| 15 October 2023 | Dr Shiromi Maduwage 29th President of CCPSL | Sunday Times |
| 28 April 2021 | HNBA, CCPSL launch digital initiative to create awareness on COVID-19 vaccination drive A video series in which the College’s doctors answer common questions about COVID-19 vaccination. | Daily FT |
| 22 February 2021 | Covid vaccination: Lack of a priority list and transparency criticized Coverage of the College’s press release on the vaccine priority list. | Lankasara |
| 27 August 2017 | 22nd Annual Scientific Sessions of the College of Community Physicians | Sunday Times |
Broadcast and print contributions
- Centenary video: 100 Years of Community Health in Sri Lanka, 1926–2026
- “Be Connected. Stay Well.” campaign video (October 2025)
- COVID-19 vaccination question-and-answer video series with HNB Assurance (2021)
Editors: add TV, radio and newspaper contributions here.
