
Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists – report on the activities organized for universities
The Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists continued a multitude of activities in keeping with its aim to spread awareness on antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among key stakeholders during the World Antimicrobial-resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) – 2024. One key stakeholder identified were undergraduates of the faculties of Medicine, Dental Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Allied Health Sciences, Nursing, and Agriculture. These activities were organized in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka.
An inter-medical faculty quiz was organized by SLCM, and was conducted on 07/11/2024 via the Slido platform, in collaboration with the Country office of the World Health Organization. This saw enthusiastic participation from the faculties of Medicine from the Universities of Colombo, Peradeniya, Jaffna, Sri Jayewardenapura, Kelaniya, Ruhuna, Rajarata, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Eastern University, Moratuwa and the General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University. The quiz comprised of four rounds of questions on, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antimicrobials, rational prescribing of antimicrobials, use of antimicrobials in empirical and specific therapy, mechanisms of AMR, mechanisms of developing AMR, factors contributing to AMR, burden and impact of AMR and prevention of AMR. A twenty-member panel of experts participated in the preparation of questions and three retired university professors, who are senior members of the SLCM, moderated the questions. Each faculty had a coordinator appointed to liaise with the SLCM and each quiz center was manned by an invigilator appointed by the SLCM. The highly competitive quiz was won by the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenapura while Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya were the first runners up and Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo were the second runners up.
1st Place- Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenapura
1. Dewdini Prasangi Abeywickrama Gunarathna
2. Iruppuge Jasanee Chamuddhika Fernando
3. Malluwa Wadu Tharindu Dinethra
4. Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Sajith Madhusanka Bandara
5. Aslam Abdul Sattar Aeman
2nd Place - Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya
- V C Boralugoda
- H G S K Kumari
- P I Senevirathne
- H M D P Senadheera
- Y K S Paranavitana
3rd Place- Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
1. H.D.D.L. Wijemanne
2. R. Abirthan
3. N.R.P. Karunaratne
4. A.A.A. Afrin
5. T.N. Akmeemana
The second competition included all faculties identified as stake holders from the state universities. Participants were requested to prepare short videos on the theme of “Act now to prevent antimicrobial resistance” keeping in line with the theme of WAAW 2024 “Educate, Advocate and Act now”. The competition was coordinated by academic staff members from 29 faculties. It drew 19 entries. They were judged by a panel of five judges.
- Dr. Kanthi Nanayakkara -Consultant Medical Virologist
- Dr. Kushlani Jayatilleke-Consultant Medical Microbiologist
- Dr. Palika Fernando-Additional Director General (Veterinary Research) - Department of Animal Production and Health
- Dr. Pavithri Bandara-Consultant Medical Microbiologist
- Dr. B. Devakanthan-Consultant Medical Microbiologist
1st Place - Faculty of medicine, University of Jaffna
- M.C.R.Adikari
- A.S.Chathurangani
- G.N.Dhananjani
- R.D.Perera
- D. Samaraweera
2nd Place - Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University
- K.Sandaru Bimsara Navinda
- V.K.N.Peiris
- A.Kasun Mayadunna
3rd Place - Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna
- Kohilan Shanjith
- Kalainilaa Mathivathanakumar
- Praijoly Guruparan
- Sivanesan Niruthbhavan
- Jegatheswaran Janenthan
3rd Place - Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna
- H. Wijewardhana
- D. D. R. S. Jayarathna
- B.H.M. Botejue
- H.S.M. Ellawala.
The first place was won by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, while the second place was won by a submission by the Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University and the third places were won by a submission by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna and Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna. The council of SLCM and the orgniazing committee wish to thank all the participants, resource persons, external invigilators, deans of the faculties, faculty coordinators, IT support personnel, the WHO and the Ministry of Health.
Prizes and certificates for the winners were awarded at the WAAW National Event organized by the Ministry of Health on 12th December 2024.
DGH Avissawella





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CNTH
Following events were organized in parallel to World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024 at Colombo North Teaching Hospital under the theme of “Educate. Advocate. Act now”.
- Staging a drama and distributing leaflets on AMR to OPD and clinic patients.
- Conducting an awareness programme for medical officers and post graduate trainees on national guidelines on empirical and prophylactic use of antimicrobials.
- Sharing the results of end of the year point prevalence survey with consultants and medical officers.



