Public Health Summit 2026
& 31st Annual Academic Sessions of the CCPSL
With the People, For the People
Our Esteemed Partners & Their Commitments
College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka
Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
About the Centenary Celebrations
The year 2026 marks a historic milestone: 100 years since the establishment of the first Health Unit in Asia at Kalutara on 1 July 1926, which signaled the formal beginning of Sri Lanka’s organized public health journey. To honor this legacy, the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSL) proudly hosts the Centenary Celebrations alongside the 31st Annual Academic Sessions and Public Health Summit.
Under the overarching theme “Shaping Wellbeing Across the Life Course,” this event provides a dual platform. We will celebrate a century of grassroots triumphs at the BMICH and rigorously examine the future of human capital, epidemiology, and planetary health at the Hotel Galadari.
Why This Conference?
In an era of rapid climate change, evolving disease burdens, and global health inequalities, resilient and sustainable public health systems are paramount. This unique centenary summit offers a platform to:
This summit will highlight:
✔ Reflect on a century of successful community health interventions in Sri Lanka.
✔ Translate global life-course nutrition and health models into local policy.
✔ Address the evolving landscape of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and environmental health.
✔ Empower communities through inclusive, person-centered service delivery.
Join us to:
Celebrate Success:
Honor 100 years of community health and regional public health innovations.
Share Knowledge
Present original research on maternal, child, and elderly wellbeing.
Shape the Future
Engage in building resilient health systems for planetary health.
Network with policymakers, academics, and healthcare professionals.
The Summit Starts in..
Who Should Attend?
The Public Health Summit 2026 is designed for a diverse group of professionals across the global health ecosystem, including:
🩺 Healthcare Providers & Public Health Experts
🎓 Researchers & Academics
🏛 Government & Policy Leaders
🌍 International Health Organizations
💡 Technology & Innovation Experts
🏥 Healthcare Administrators & Hospital Managers
📊 Students & Young Professionals
This conference fosters cross-sector collaboration, bringing together scientists, decision-makers, and grassroots health practitioners to collectively design scalable and impactful solutions for global health challenges.
Registration
- Conference registration starts on 01st May 2026
- For a list of country income level classifications, check here
- Students will be required to show a valid student identification card at the on-site registration desk.
- Organizational and country information will be verified by the conference organizers as needed.
8000 LKR /Person
- Entrance
- Free Lunch & Snacks on conference days
- Conference bag & materials
- Access to all workshops
- Certificate of attendance
- Terms & Conditions Applied
6000 LKR /Person
- Entrance
- Free Lunch & Snacks on conference days
- Conference bag & materials
- Access to all workshops
- Certificate of attendance
- Terms & Conditions Applied
5000 LKR /Person
- Entrance
- Free Lunch & Snacks on conference days
- Conference bag & materials
- Access to all workshops
- Certificate of attendance
- Terms & Conditions Applied
3000 LKR /Person
- Entrance
- Free Lunch & Snacks on conference days
- Conference bag & materials
- Access to all workshops
- Certificate of attendance
- Terms & Conditions Applied
3000 LKR /Person
- Entrance
- Free Lunch & Snacks on conference days
- Conference bag & materials
- Access to all workshops
- Certificate of attendance
- Terms & Conditions Applied
$250 /Person
- Entrance
- Free Lunch & Snacks on conference days
- Conference bag & materials
- Access to all workshops
- Certificate of attendance
- Terms & Conditions Applied
$100 /Person
- Entrance
- Free Lunch & Snacks on conference days
- Conference bag & materials
- Access to all workshops
- Certificate of attendance
- Terms & Conditions Applied
Conference Co-Chairs
Prof. Upul Senarath
Chair Professor of Community Medicine, Fellow of the CCPSL, Specialist in Community Medicine, Head – Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Dr. Himali Herath
Consultant Community Physician, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka; Editor, College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka
Dr. Manuja Perera
Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya
Conference Secretary
Dr. Nimali Widanapathirana
Consultant Community Physician, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka; Council Member, College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka
Scientific Committee
Prof. Carukshi Arambepola
Professor in Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo; Co-editor of the Journal of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka
Prof. Nuwan Wickramasinghe
Chair Professor of Community Medicine and Head of the Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Prof. Dulani Samaranayake
Professor in Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
Dr. Ruwan Ferdinando
President Elect, College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka
Dr. Supun Wijesinghe
Consultant Community Physician and Head of the Family Health, Nutrition Communication and Behaviour Research Unit, Health Promotion Bureau, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
Dr. Chithranganie Perera
Consultant Community Physician, Research Unit, Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
Dr. Udari Mambulage
Consultant Community Physician, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
Key Dates and Timeline for the Summit
Small but impactful steps lead to transformative change in community health.
Here are the important milestones for the Public Health Summit 2026:
Call for Abstracts : 31st Annual Academic Sessions
Abstract submission closes for the 31st Annual Academic Sessions
Abstract submission closes for the Centenary Exhibition
Notification of Abstract Acceptance
Centenary Celebrations & Centenary Exhibition
Public Health Summit & the Annual Academic Sessions
Get Directions to the Event Venue
Venue Details
Near Amenities
Venue Details
- No. 64 Lotus Road, Colombo 1, Sri Lanka.
- T: (+94) 11-2544 544
- E: info@galadari.lk
- W: www.galadarihotel.lk
- Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 00700
- T: (+94) 0112 691 131
- E: info@bmich.com
- W: www.bmich.com
Near Amenities
- One Galle Face Mall
- Colombo City Centre
- Dutch Hospital – Shopping Precinct
- Crescat Boulevard
Visa Information
Important Information
Restricted Countries
Free Visa
Important Information
Please note, the visa process for Sri Lanka is under some updates. We will be sure to share the most up-to-date information with community members and participants as soon as we make note and confirm with Sri Lankan partners. Below are the most recent recommendations – and likely the final update before our event in July 2025.
It is recommended by our Sri Lankan partners to apply for a Tourist Visa for those traveling to attend the GPHS2025 event, rather than a business visa.
You will not need an invitation letter in order to apply for the Tourist Visa. You will need a passport with at least six months validity from the date of entry into Sri Lanka. It is also recommended to apply for this visa as early as possible.
Please visit the official Sri Lanka eVisa Website to learn more about materials needed and the process for applying to your eVisa: https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
Arrival cards are available online for filling out prior to arrival. This eases airport immigration clearance: https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/emb/eEmbarkation/’#/home-page
Restricted Countries
Please note the following information from the notice on the official site regarding specific countries:
Visitors from Restricted Countries who intend to apply for ETA may apply through Sri Lankan Sponsor for their ETA from the Head office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka.
If you are a passport holder from any of the countries listed below, you will now need to present the following documents upon arrival in Sri Lanka:
- Police Clearance Report: A police clearance report from your country of residence, confirming that you have no criminal record.
- Guarantor Letter: A letter of guarantee, which will be provided by GPHS2025, to support your visa on arrival process.
Restricted Countries:
Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Syria, Ivory Coast, North Korea, Yemen, Uzbekistan, Colombia, Madagascar
Please ensure you have these documents prepared before your arrival in Sri Lanka to facilitate a smooth entry process.
Free Visa
A free Visa regime is implemented for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan with immediate effect.
- A free Visa regime is implemented for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan with immediate effect.
- Nationals of the above-nominated countries possessing Diplomatic, Official, Public Affairs, Service, and Ordinary passports are eligible to enjoy a visa-free regime under this scheme.
- Above nominated nationals should apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arriving in Sri Lanka subject to granting/issuing free of charge.
- Under this scheme tourists can enjoy a 30 days free visa period and a double entry facility is permitted from the date of first arrival to Sri Lanka within 30 days.
- Applicants who have obtained a free visa and need to stay in Sri Lanka for more than 30 days can apply for an extension by paying the appropriate visa fee.
- Please note that this particular visa-free regime applies to the above seven nominated countries and the rest of the countries may follow the general rules and regulations applicable to Sri Lanka ETA.