SLMA, University of Colombo to host Int'l conference

The Sri Lanka Medical Association, University of Colombo and the National Science Foundation have taken the leadership in promoting and protection of patients taking part in Medical Research in Sri Lanka by jointly hosting the 12th International Conference of the Forum for Ethical Review Committees in Asia and the Western Pacific at Waters Edge, Colombo from January 18 to 21, 2013.

Over 400 delegates from 104 leading Hospitals and Medical Universities in the Asia Pacific region will meet to discuss how patient protection could be done in a manner that promotes development and advancement of medical sciences while taking into account social and cultural values of people of different backgrounds living in different parts of the world. It is a great honour for Sri Lanka to host this conference given the long tradition of medicine in Sri Lanka, SLMA President Prof. Vajira H W Dissanayake said.

Prof. Arjuna Aluwihara of the University of Peradeniya will make keynote presentation on "Contextual Lessons from Surgical Archaeology" highlighting the implications of the knowledge of our forefathers on modern medical research.

The conference is being held in Sri Lanka at a very important time for Sri Lanka when the country is looking at rapid economic development through investment in Research and Development.