Surgeons from the Department of Surgery, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Professor Bawantha Gamage and Professor Srinath Chandrasekara, led the country’s first ever live robotic surgical workshop, held as a pre-Congress event of the Annual Academic Sessions of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka (SLSC 2026), the international surgical conference conducted by CSSL.
The workshop marked a new chapter in surgical training in Sri Lanka. It was held at Kings Hospital, Colombo, and drew strong participation from young, enthusiastic surgeons and trainees who engaged actively with the operating room throughout the session.
The event featured overseas faculty including Professor Subash Khanna (India), Professor C. Selvasekar (UK, President of ALRSGBI), and Mr. Venkatesh Jayanthi (UK). Sessions were moderated by senior Sri Lankan surgeons, including Professor Mohan de Silva and Dr. K. L. Fernando (Past Presidents of CSSL and patrons of SLAMDS), Dr. Rasitha Manathunga (SLAMDS President), Dr. Chathuranga Keppetiyagama, Dr. Niroshan Atulugama, Dr. Sanjeev Samaranayake, and Dr. Dhammika Rasnayake.
Dr. Rukman Sanjeewa played a key role in the operating theatre, with Dr. Nilanganee Lamahewage serving as Chief Anaesthetist. Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, the founder and the executive chairman of the SSii India was the special guest of the workshop.
The organisers thanked the theatre staff and management of Kings Hospital Colombo for sponsoring the event, and expressed hope for continued support in training Sri Lankan surgeons in robotic surgery.
