Centre for Research in Tropical Medicine
UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA
The Centre for Research in Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, is a dedicated platform for sharing knowledge, research, and educational resources related to tropical diseases in Sri Lanka.
"Achieving Excellence in Tropical Medicine"
"The mission of the CRTM is to initiate, promote and facilitate research in tropical medicine with special reference to Sri Lanka and in the pursuit of this objective,
(a) to improve the scientific capability of the academic and the technical staff of the Faculty and
(b) to establish link between the faculty and centres of excellence, national and international."
In response to a request from the Sri Lanka University Grants Commission (UGC) for capital development proposals for a five year period 1985-1990, the Faculty of Medicine proposed the establishment of a centre dedicated for research in tropical medicine (CRTM). This took into account the wide range of medical research that the Faculty was engaged in at the time. These projects included:
The memorandum was tabled on the proposed “Centre for Research in Tropical Medicine” at the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya. The University Council considered Council paper C/85/7 (b) and approved it, recommending to the UGC the establishment of the CRTM. In view of these constraints, the CRTM commenced its activities in September 1993 on a functional rather than a physical scale.
The scope of activities of the CRTM was originally and still is, after its inauguration in September 1993, not restricted to the Medical Faculty but involved other state universities as well. The original proposal envisaged a building to include specialised laboratories with equipment to promote research in these areas, administrative and supportive functions (a specialised library, technical and secretarial staff). Following the national problems of the mid to late 1980s and the early 1990s, these proposals were later curtailed mainly due to lack of funds and loss of academic and technical staff due to emigration.
Its main thrust now includes:
The symposium focused on the theme: “Snakebite Envenomation: From Ecology and Venom Biology to Clinical Management.” - The event brought together medical officers, postgraduate trainees, and healthcare professionals from multiple disciplines including Medicine, Paediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia and Critical Care, and Allied Health Sciences.
Held under the theme: “Leptospirosis: From Global Perspectives to One Health and Severe Disease Management” - the symposium provided a comprehensive platform to explore the evolving landscape of leptospirosis ranging from its global impact and microbiological foundations to prevention strategies and management of severe disease.
