Who We Are ??

In 2020 we were able to fulfill a long awaited need of Sri Lankan surgeons by establishing the Sri Lanka Association of Minimal Access and Digital Surgeons (SLAMADS). The main objectives of the Association are to support all practising surgeons in improving their skills in the field of Minimal Access Surgery (MAS), support health authorities to develop MAS in Sri Lanka and promote education and research in the field of MAS.

SLAMADS will empower Sri Lankan surgeons, especially those who are newly appointed, to practise MAS safely and confidently in their respective work stations. We will also be able to support Sri Lankan surgical trainees in developing their skills in MAS and provide due recognition for their training. SLAMADS is unique because it will have members not only from different subspecialties of surgery but also from other fields like radiology and gynaecology. 

Membership Categories

Full Membership

Any individual who is a board-certified medical specialist in the field of surgery with particular interest in minimal access surgery.

General Membership

Any individual who is a board-certified medical specialist in a field other than surgery with particular interest in minimal access therapeutic procedures.

Associate membership

A surgical trainee who has completed the MD (Surgery) examination held by the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, who is interested in minimal access surgery.

Presidents Message

My dear friends,

Since its inception in 2020, Sri Lanka Association of Minimal Access and Digital Surgeons (SLAMADS) has established itself as the leading association in the field of minimal access surgery in Sri Lanka. The objective of SLAMADS at its commencement was to improve the standards of minimal access surgery in the country in par with the rest of the world, to deliver standard surgical care to patients throughout the island. We were able to achieve this goal so far despite the hardships our country went through during the past few years and the untimely demise of former president Dr. V. Sutharshan

SLAMADS has over 150 members comprising of surgeons of all subspecialties including Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, Oncological, Plastic, Orthopedic, Cardiac, Thoracic and Neurological Surgery. Moreover, there are a number of specialists in Gynaecology, Radiology, Cardiology, and a few other fields who are interested in and actively practicing minimal access procedures. Our membership expands beyond the borders, as many practicing surgeons from overseas hold the membership as well. 

Monthly webinars were conducted by both local and foreign experts on a wide range of topics, which were highly successful and attended by a large number of participants.

Furthermore, we conducted several live-operative surgical workshops in all four corners of the island, which were instrumental for surgeons in the periphery to update their knowledge and skill in minimal access surgery

Basic laparoscopic and endoscopic courses for surgical trainees was made a mandatory pre-requisite by the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) for the MD-Surgery examination. These courses deliver basic understanding and skill to young surgical trainees.

Additionally, basic laparoscopic course for grade medical officers is yet another highly successful course organised by  SLAMADS since 2024. So far, we have conducted 4 such workshops in different locations in the country, which were attended by more than 150 medical officers and nurses. This course has assisted surgeons working in the periphery to get their junior staff trained in laparoscopy, especially in hospitals where surgical trainees are not present.

Over the years, SLAMADS has significantly contributed to the annual academic sessions of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka in numerous ways, such as organising live-operative workshops, symposia, plenaries, debates and video competitions, involving regional and international experts on various fields of minimal access surgery.

During the last 5 years, we have made substantial strides in forming academic collaborations with many international associations with similar interests, including Association of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons of Great Britain & Ireland(ALSGBI), Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India (AMASI), Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA) and Korean Society of Endo-Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery (KSERS).

Through these collaborations, we were able to enhance the knowledge and skills of local surgeons and trainees, while reciprocally, many of our SLAMADS members also participated in numerous international conferences as resource personnel and speakers, and  shared their expertise internationally.

Continuous academic programs conducted by SLAMADS has immensely helped to advance clinicians’ practice in minimal access procedures. SLAMADS website and newsletter has been instrumental in delivering its academic articles and activities among the membership and beyond. 

As SLAMADS has shown a remarkable progress within the last 5 years, I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Bawantha Gamage, the pioneer and the founder president, for his visionary leadership, and to the late president Dr. V. Sutharshan for his untiring contributions, and also to the  office bearers and council members for empowering SLAMADS to reach new heights. 

With healthcare  rapidly evolving in this digital era, we will be working tirelessly with our partners and membership, to  raise the bar and set a new benchmark of minimal access surgery in Sri Lanka.

Thank you,
Dr Rasitha Manatunga
President, SLAMADS

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Useful Links

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The College of Surgeons of Srilanka
Association of Laparascopic Surgeons
Ministry of Health Srilanka
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, UOC