Bridging Gaps, Building Hope – Highlights from the 22nd Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2025

The Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists brought together mental health professionals from across the world at its 22nd Annual Academic Sessions, held from 1st to 4th August 2025 at the Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo. Centered on the theme “Bridging Gaps in Mental Health,” the event created a vibrant space for dialogue, learning, and collaboration in advancing mental health care.

Inauguration Ceremony 

The sessions were inaugurated on the 1st of August in the presence of a large gathering of distinguished guests and college members. Hon. Justice Janak De Silva, Judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Vinay Kumar, Board Member (South Asia) of the World Psychiatric Association, attended as the Guest of Honour. 

Hon. Justice Janak De Silva struck a chord with the audience by speaking candidly about the mental health concerns among judges, a pressing yet often overlooked issue. Justice De Silva also emphasized the need to strictly enforce anti ragging legislation in universities.  Dr. Vinay Kumar emphasized the importance of ensuring mental health services that are accessible, equitable, and compassionate for all, highlighting that collaboration, innovation, and the elimination of disparities are key to holistic well-being. Dr. Sajeewana Amarasinghe, President of the College, gave the Presidential Address that was a heartfelt reflection on the current challenges in mental health service provision in Sri Lanka, particularly the migration of trained psychiatrists. Prof. Miyuru Chandradasa delivered the College Oration, which offered an insightful look into the role of Topiramate as an adjunctive strategy in schizophrenia, exploring its potential to ease symptoms while addressing metabolic challenges. 

Main Conference Highlights – Learning, Sharing, and Inspiring 

The two-day main conference attracted 285 delegates, including overseas participants from India, the UK, Australia, and Canada. The academic programme was rich and varied, featuring five plenary sessions and seven symposia, covering a wide range of topics such as child and adolescent psychiatry, old age psychiatry, substance use, palliative care, women’s mental health, and neuropsychiatry. 

Plenary Sessions that Sparked Conversations: 

• Plenary 1: The recent CANMAT guidelines for major depressive disorder – Prof. Arun Ravindran (Canada) 
• Plenary 2: Leadership in healthcare – Prof. Mohammed Al-Uzri (UK) 
• Plenary 3: Blood biomarkers for neuropsychiatric disorders: Enhancing early and accurate dementia diagnosis – Dr. Dhamidhu Eratne (Australia) 
• Plenary 4: Hacking the brain: The neurobiology of meditation and psychedelics – Prof. Varuni de Silva 
• Plenary 5: Eating disorders: A primer for the general psychiatrist – Dr. Nishardi Waidyaratne-Wijeratne (Canada) 

A thought-provoking panel discussion on Law and Psychiatry brought together diverse voices – Dr. Chittahari Abhayanayaka, Dr. Angelo de Alwis, Mr. Jagath Wickramanayake (President’s Counsel), and moderator Dr. Chamara Wijesinghe. The discussion highlighted how psychiatry and the legal world intersect, often in complex and sensitive ways. 

Key Themes from the Symposia 

The symposia at the 22nd Annual Academic Sessions offered a rich spread of themes, ranging from child and adolescent mental health, women’s mental health, and young adult psychiatry to head injury and neuropsychiatry, psychotherapy, end-of-life care, and alcohol use. Sessions featured both local and international experts, with engaging talks on pressing issues such as adolescent suicide, the impact of climate change, the biology and psychology of menstruation and menopause, traumatic brain injury, dementia care, novel psychoactive substances, and adult ADHD. Creative and forward-looking perspectives also came through in discussions on expressive arts therapy, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, and motivational interviewing in addiction care.  

Post-Congress Workshops – Extending the Learning 

Two enriching post-congress workshops were held at the National Institute of Mental Health, Angoda. The first one was held on 3rd of August for doctors, focused on Electroconvulsive Therapy led by Dr. Madhubhashinee Dayabandara, Dr. Suresh Yadav, Prof. Varuni de Silva, and Prof. Anuja Abeydeera. The second workshop, on 4th August shifted the focus to supporting children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder through a collaborative approach. This session brought together diverse expertise, with contributions from Dr. Lakshmi Sravanti, Dr. Swarna Wijetunga, Dr. Senani Wijetunga, Ms. Samanmalee Thennakoon, Ms. Beenuka Wikramathunge, Ms. Nuwanda Athauda, and Ms. Wageesha Vidanapathirana. 

Social Events – Bonds Beyond the Sessions 

The much anticipated Annual College Dinner, held on 2nd August at Hotel Cinnamon Life, created a warm and convivial setting for networking and camaraderie among both local and international delegates, strengthening professional ties in an informal and joyous setting. 

The 22nd Annual Academic Sessions thus proved to be a rich platform for knowledge exchange, professional development, and strengthening collaborations to address mental health challenges in Sri Lanka and beyond. 

This article represents the view of its author(s) and does not necessarily represent the view of the IACAPAP's bureau or executive committee.

IACAPAP Bulletin, Issue 79