Prof. Saman Nanayakkara, a highly respected scholar and a Medical specialist, has been appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, for a period of the three (3) years, effective from 12 th September 2024. Prof. Nanayakkara holds an MBBS degree from the University of Peradeniya (1995), MD in Anaesthesiology from the Postgraduate Institute, University of Colombo (2007), Postgraduate Diploma in Sociology from the University of Peradeniya (2019), Masters in Archeology from the University of Peradeniya (2022).

He has served as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and a Professor in Anaesthesiology and Critical Care since 2002 and an Honorary consultant of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care for the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya and the Dental Hospital, Peradeniya.

He has published many journal articles and done conference presentations both Internationally and locally. He has also been the President of many professional organizations such as the Kandy Society of Medicine, Faculty and Pain Medicine in the College of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care and the Sri Lankan Association for the Study of Pain.