Faculty of Medicine Academic Sessions (FMAS) – 2021 was successfully held on the 15th December 2021, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna under the theme “Navigating challenges for a healthier and secure tomorrow”. The pre-conference webinar was held on the 8th of December 2021 in collaboration with the Society for Alternatives to Animal testing in Sri Lanka on “Alternatives to Animal Testing: A scientific perspective”. The Chief Guest for FMAS 2021 was Senior Professor Sujeewa Amarasena, the Vice Chancellor, University of Ruhuna. Keynote Address was delivered on “Paediatric research: A kaleidoscopic personal trail” by Dr B J C Perera, Specialist Consultant Paediatrician, Section Editor-Ceylon Medical Journal, Joint Editor- Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health. FMAS oration entitled “Surgery, success and happiness: A story within a story” was delivered by Prof Mohan de Silva, Emeritus Professor in Surgery, former Chairman, University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka. Mr Mevan Induruwa and Ms Nethmi Yasara were awarded the Dean’s awards for the year 2021 as the best 2nd MBBS student and the best 3rd MBBS student respectively.
The inauguration ceremony was followed by the FMAS symposium, postgraduate research presentations, free paper oral and poster sessions in both open and undergraduate categories. Prof Vasantha Devasiri, Dean, Faculty of Medicine awarded the certificates to the winners of best oral and poster presentations. Prof Ruwani Hewawasam and Dr Achala Liyanage were the Chairperson and the Secretary of FMAS-2021.