History of AGSSL

Sri Lankan surgeons were largely trained in the United Kingdom, during the pre- and post-independence era. The career development of General Surgeons, therefore followed the trends in the British Isles. Since the establishment of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine of the University of Colombo, the professional training of General Surgeons became restricted. Furthermore, the decades old civil war stretched the General Surgeons to the limits.

 

A group of General Surgeons studied the current training and opportunities to subspecialize within the specialty of General Surgery in other countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America. In 2006, this group of General Surgeons, formed the Association of General Surgeons of Sri Lanka, and launched the campaign for their right to empower the General Surgeons with knowledge and skills to match those of the rest of the world, and to subspecialize within the specialty of General Surgery.

 

The inaugural meeting of AGSSL was held in July 2006 at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. The consensus of the opinion of General surgeons was sought, and later, the case for the above-mentioned objectives was presented to The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka.

 

The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, then under the leadership of Dr. M. Narendra Pinto, appointed a committee comprising of concerned members of specialties, with Prof. Arjuna Aluvihare, as the chairperson. This committee was known as “CollsurgGensurgCom”. After several sittings, the “CollsurgGensurgCom” recognized the rights of General Surgeons to define the extent of their training and subspecialize within the specialty of General Surgery, in keeping with the training and accreditation practice of United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand etc.

 

The Association of General Surgeons of Sri Lanka, then formed a Curriculum Development Commitee, headed by Prof. Mohan de Silva, and began the task of compiling the new “Curriculum and Syllabus for Training of General Surgeons”.  The new curriculum and syllabus were presented to the Board of Study in Surgery of the PGIM, passed and discussed at the Board of Management of the PGIM and finally approved by the Senate of the University of Colombo.

 

The new Curriculum and Syllabus came into effect in 2012, and General Surgeons since Board Certified in General Surgery with a special interest in one of the selected areas. During this period of six years, Dr. B.G.N. Rathnasena served as the President, and Dr. A.S.K. Banagala as the Secretary of the AGSSL.

 

Curriculum Development Committee was headed by Prof. Mohan de Silva, while Dr. A.S.K. Banagala served as the editor. Dr. B. G. N. Rathnasena, Prof. K. I. Deen, Prof. Ranil Fernando, Dr. L.A. Ranasinghe, Dr. Nissanka Jayawardane, Dr. M.B.A.P. de Silva, Dr. Roshan Dassenaike, Dr.Asoka Wijemanne, Prof. K.B. Galketiya, Dr. Ranjith Ellawala, Dr. P. Pitigalaarachchi, Dr. LRKBP Udapamunuwa were contributors to the new Curriculum and Syllabus. Dr. Marius de Almeida contributed the Orthopaedic volumes of the new Curriculum and syllabus. Dr Raviraj, Dr SMM. Niyas also contributed to development of curriculum and syllabus.

 

The AGSSL was officially recognized as a Chapter of The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, in 2008.

 

Dr. Gamini Goonetillake served as Patron and adviser to the Executive Committee of the AGSSL during its formative years.

 

During this difficult period many members of the AGSSL served as members of the Board of Study in Surgery, and of the Specialty Board in General Surgery of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine too.

 

In summary, the AGSSL brought General Surgeons to one unified platform and achieved many academic and professional goals during this period.

Introduction

The Association of General Surgeons of Sri Lanka stands as a dynamic and influential community, dedicated to the advancement of surgical excellence and patient care. Founded in 2006 with the vision of providing a platform for collaboration, education, and advocacy, to general surgeons, the association has steadily evolved over the years to become a trusted voice in the surgical field. It is also the largest organization coming under the umbrella of The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka contributing significantly to its role as the apex body of all surgeons in Sri Lanka.

Through a combination of strategic initiatives, active member engagement, and a steadfast commitment to professional development, the association has cultivated a vibrant and diverse membership that spans across all regions in the island with numerous provincial subcommitees.

With a focus on empowering surgeons, fostering innovation, and addressing critical challenges in healthcare, the Association of General Surgeons has established itself as a cornerstone of support for its members. Today, it serves as a driving force in shaping the future of surgical practice, continually enhancing work conditions for surgeons and elevating the standards of care for patients across the Island.

The Council of the Association of General Surgeons of Sri Lanka is elected at its Annual General Meeting held at the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka.

The Executive Committee of the Association of General Surgeons of Sri Lanka serves as its leadership body, steering the organization toward its mission of advancing surgical excellence and enhancing patient care. Comprising experienced and dedicated professionals, the committee includes a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and other key officers representing diverse expertise within the surgical field. This team oversees strategic planning, advocacy efforts, and professional development initiatives, ensuring the association remains responsive to the needs of its members. Through collaborative decision-making and visionary leadership, the Executive Committee fosters a supportive environment for surgeons and promotes innovation in healthcare delivery and surgical practice.

The current committee comprises of the following eminent surgeons.

AGSSL Council 2025/26

  • President
    • Dr Roshan Dassenaieke
  • Vice President
    • Dr V Sutharshan
  • Secretary
    • Dr Bhishman Thevarajah
  • Treasurer
    • Dr Mihira Bandara
  • Assistant Treasurer
    • Dr Prabath Kumarasinghe
  • Provincial Representatives
    • Dr Kapila Gamage (North Western Province)
    • Dr Keerthi Abayajeewa (Western Province)
    • Dr Percy Dias (Sabaragamuwa Province)
    • Dr Piyal Kurukulasooriya (Central Province)
    • Dr Rajendra Obyasekara (Southern Province)
    • Dr Sujeewa Thalagaspitiya (North Central Province)
    • Dr S Branavan (Eastern Province)
    • Dr Duminda Dissanayake (Uva Province)
    • Dr Umashanker (Northern Province)

Mission Statement

At the Association of General Surgeons of Sri Lanka, we are united by a steadfast commitment to advancing the art and science of surgery while fostering an environment that prioritizes the well-being of both surgeons and the patients they serve. Our mission is driven by a dual focus: enhancing the working conditions of general surgeons and elevating the quality of care delivered to every patient.

We believe that the cornerstone of exceptional patient care lies in the empowerment and support of the surgical community. To this end, we are dedicated to advocating for equitable, sustainable, and progressive workplace policies that promote physical safety, mental health, and professional satisfaction for all surgeons. By addressing challenges such as work-life balance, resource allocation, and access to cutting-edge tools and technology, we aim to create a work environment that nurtures excellence and innovation.

Our association is equally committed to advancing patient care through rigorous standards, ongoing education, and compassionate practices. We champion evidence-based approaches, foster a culture of collaboration, and support continuous professional development to ensure that general surgeons remain at the forefront of medical advancements. Our initiatives are designed to uphold the highest ethical standards, improve patient outcomes, and build trust within the communities we serve.

Through meaningful partnerships, open dialogue, and collective action, we strive to amplify the voices of general surgeons and address systemic challenges in healthcare delivery. We recognize the importance of equity and inclusivity, ensuring that our mission serves surgeons and patients from all backgrounds.

As an association, we pledge to inspire and support surgeons in their pursuit of excellence while working tirelessly to create a healthcare landscape that respects and values their contributions.

We also recognize the importance of team work and as such liaise closely with our umbrella college and sister organizations. Together, we will shape a future where surgeons thrive, and patients receive the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve.

Let us build this future, one surgery, one patient, and one step forward at a time.

 

Dr Roshan Dassenaieke

President, AGSSL

MBBS (NCMC), MS (Col), FRCS (Edin), FCSSL(SL)
Consultant Surgeon