College of community physicians
Encyclopedia
The College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSRL) is the professional association of the Public Health Practitioners in Sri Lanka
. The membership consists of specialists in Community Medicine and master's degree
holders in Community Medicine. In addition to these professionals, there are members from other specialties as well. This organisation is incorporated by an act of Parliament No.18/99.
colonial era on 26 November 1927. It was established with a view to safeguarding interests of its members and promoting public health
in the country and stimulating interest of the public in matters relevant to their health. Dr. F.E. Bridger was the first president. It started with a membership of 26 which rose to 56 in 4 years. The society consisted of Medical Officers of Health (MOH), specialists in public health and professionals engaged in the advancement of public health. The transactions of the society of medical officers of health of Ceylon was their annual journal, made up of papers presented at the annual meeting.
In 1960, the society changed its name to the “Ceylon Public Health Association”. It brought under its banner all persons involved in public health thus making it an exclusive forum for both medical and non-medical professionals equally. These included clinicians, sanitary engineers, health educators and invariably MOHs. The journal was also renamed as the Journal of the Ceylon Public Health Association. In 1960, the society reached a state of dormancy. In 1970, some keen public health practitioners formed the Sri Lanka association of preventive and social medicine. Dr. N.P.M.Cooray was its inaugural president while Dr. Terrance Fernando was the secretary. The association was again renamed as the Sri Lanka association of Community Medicine. The association organised regular guest lectures and symposia. A one day scientific session was an annual feature. High quality research papers were presented to the highly attended membership. Annual sessions were followed by the general meeting. Presidential address preceded the annual dinner in the evening.
In 1994, the members unanimously adopted a resolution to convert the association to a college. It was named The College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka. Professor Dulitha Fernando was the first president. Initial membership was 180. The first council meeting was held on 13 December 1995. The first annual sessions were held on 6th and 7th of December 1996. In the inaugural ceremony Professor Savithri Gunasekera, the vice chancellor of the University of Colombo
was the chief guest. The oldest and most distinguished member and a past president Dr. W.A. Karunaratne was admitted as the first fellow of the college.
As a mark of recognition of the service rendered by the College of Community Physicians in promoting public health in Sri Lanka, the World Health Organization has supported the college to establish a public health forum. The forum was ceremoniously opened by Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang, the Regional Director of the WHO South East Asian Region (SEAR) on 11 th April 2008.
College colours are Gold and Maroon. College logo shows goddess Hygiea
holding the internationally accepted symbol of snake and staff in one hand and in other the torch bearing the flame of knowledge in the foreground of the replica of Sri Lanka. Hygiea in Greek mythology
is the goddess of health. She was the daughter of Aesclepius who is the god of medicine. Aesculapian snakes were kept in the combination hospital temple built by the ancient Greeks and later by Romans in honour of the God. Aesclepius is often pictured with his staff around which is entwined one of these snakes.
The objectives of the college of community physicians of Sri Lanka are to advance the knowledge and to promote research and post graduate education in Community Medicine, to act as an authoritative body so as to promote for the public benefit, the advancement of knowledge in Community Medicine, to promote fellowship and support persons and institutions engaged in practice and research in Community Medicine.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
. The membership consists of specialists in Community Medicine and master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
holders in Community Medicine. In addition to these professionals, there are members from other specialties as well. This organisation is incorporated by an act of Parliament No.18/99.
History
The first professional association of public health officers in Sri Lanka was the Society of Medical officers of health which was established during the BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
colonial era on 26 November 1927. It was established with a view to safeguarding interests of its members and promoting public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
in the country and stimulating interest of the public in matters relevant to their health. Dr. F.E. Bridger was the first president. It started with a membership of 26 which rose to 56 in 4 years. The society consisted of Medical Officers of Health (MOH), specialists in public health and professionals engaged in the advancement of public health. The transactions of the society of medical officers of health of Ceylon was their annual journal, made up of papers presented at the annual meeting.
In 1960, the society changed its name to the “Ceylon Public Health Association”. It brought under its banner all persons involved in public health thus making it an exclusive forum for both medical and non-medical professionals equally. These included clinicians, sanitary engineers, health educators and invariably MOHs. The journal was also renamed as the Journal of the Ceylon Public Health Association. In 1960, the society reached a state of dormancy. In 1970, some keen public health practitioners formed the Sri Lanka association of preventive and social medicine. Dr. N.P.M.Cooray was its inaugural president while Dr. Terrance Fernando was the secretary. The association was again renamed as the Sri Lanka association of Community Medicine. The association organised regular guest lectures and symposia. A one day scientific session was an annual feature. High quality research papers were presented to the highly attended membership. Annual sessions were followed by the general meeting. Presidential address preceded the annual dinner in the evening.
In 1994, the members unanimously adopted a resolution to convert the association to a college. It was named The College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka. Professor Dulitha Fernando was the first president. Initial membership was 180. The first council meeting was held on 13 December 1995. The first annual sessions were held on 6th and 7th of December 1996. In the inaugural ceremony Professor Savithri Gunasekera, the vice chancellor of the University of Colombo
University of Colombo
The University of Colombo is a public research university located primarily in Colombo, Sri Lanka...
was the chief guest. The oldest and most distinguished member and a past president Dr. W.A. Karunaratne was admitted as the first fellow of the college.
As a mark of recognition of the service rendered by the College of Community Physicians in promoting public health in Sri Lanka, the World Health Organization has supported the college to establish a public health forum. The forum was ceremoniously opened by Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang, the Regional Director of the WHO South East Asian Region (SEAR) on 11 th April 2008.
Journal
The journal of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka carries research articles. The College has published a millennium supplement of Public Health Development in Sri Lanka which reflects the evolution of different disciplines within Public Health in the country.College colours are Gold and Maroon. College logo shows goddess Hygiea
Hygiea
Hygiea can refer to one of two concepts:* The asteroid 10 Hygiea.* Hygieia, a figure in Greek mythology, goddess of health....
holding the internationally accepted symbol of snake and staff in one hand and in other the torch bearing the flame of knowledge in the foreground of the replica of Sri Lanka. Hygiea in Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
is the goddess of health. She was the daughter of Aesclepius who is the god of medicine. Aesculapian snakes were kept in the combination hospital temple built by the ancient Greeks and later by Romans in honour of the God. Aesclepius is often pictured with his staff around which is entwined one of these snakes.
The objectives of the college of community physicians of Sri Lanka are to advance the knowledge and to promote research and post graduate education in Community Medicine, to act as an authoritative body so as to promote for the public benefit, the advancement of knowledge in Community Medicine, to promote fellowship and support persons and institutions engaged in practice and research in Community Medicine.
Presidents
Following are the presidents of the college:- 1995-96- Professor Dulitha Fernando
- 1996-97- Professor Dulitha Fernando
- 1997-98- Dr Malani De Silva
- 1998-99- Dr S.A.P.Gnanisara
- 1999-00- Dr H.M.S.S.D.Herath
- 2000-01- Dr A.N.A.Abeysundare
- 2001-02- Professor Rohini Seneviratne
- 2002-03– Professor Lalani Rajapakse
- 2003-04- Dr Manil Fernando
- 2004-05- Dr Dulcie De Silva
- 2005-06- Dr Stanly De Silva
- 2006-07- Dr. Pushpa Jayawardane
- 2007-08- Dr Pushpa Jayawardane
- 2008-09- Professor Rajitha Wickramasinghe
- 2009-10- Dr. Sujatha Samarakoon
- 2010-11- Dr.Rabindra Abeysinghe
- 2011-12- Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne
External links
- Official College website
- Act of incorporation of CCPSL
- Act of incorporation of CCPSL
- Inauguration of the 14th Annual Academic Session of the CCPL
- Address of the RD-WHO SEAR on inaguration of the Public Health Lounge of the CCPSL
- Sri Lanka Medical association links to professional associations & societies in Sri Lanka
- National Science foundation of Sri Lanka Links to professional associations
- WHO Sri Lankan country office highlights involvement of CCPSL in National Colloqum "Have your say in health"
- Life member of CCPSL appointed Regional advisor STD/AIDS WHO SEARO