Dr. N. Madhuwanthi Hettiarachchi
A Decade of Inspiration, A Future of Innovation
As the 10th President of the Sri Lanka College of Internal Medicine (SLCIM) for 2026, it is both an honour and a privilege to serve this esteemed College at a defining moment in its journey. As we complete a decade of dedicated service to internal medicine and to our nation, we stand on a strong foundation built on vision, integrity, and collective commitment.
The Sri Lanka College of Internal Medicine represents the very essence of our discipline — thoughtful clinical judgement, holistic patient-centred care, and a deep responsibility to our communities. Over the past ten years, the College has grown into a respected national professional body, guided by principled leadership, academic excellence, and unity of purpose.
Our theme for 2026, “A Decade of Inspiration, A Future of Innovation,” reflects this important transition. Inspiration has shaped who we are; innovation must guide where we are going. Innovation, in our context, is not merely about technology — it is about resilience, preparedness, prevention, equity, research, and responsible leadership. It is about building systems that serve people, strengthening care where resources are limited, and ensuring that progress remains ethical, inclusive, and patient-focused.
In the year ahead, the College will continue to invest in education, research, leadership development, and service to the nation, with a strong emphasis on prevention, clinical reasoning, capacity building, and support for the next generation of physicians. This collective commitment will be reflected in our academic activities throughout the year.
Building on the strong foundations of the past decade, the College will continue its ongoing programmes while reshaping them through innovation, collaboration, and a stronger focus on prevention and preparedness. This will be reflected in the launch of a National Youth Education and Screening Programme, investing early in the long-term health of our nation. To strengthen sound clinical judgement, we will expand structured, case-based clinical reasoning forums and develop learning platforms grounded in real-world practice.
Education will be delivered in more accessible and responsive ways through Lunchtime Feeds, a comprehensive Lifestyle Medicine Programme, regional satellite academic meetings for general practitioners and nurses, Peer Learning Forums, and a National Learning Portal—ensuring equity in access across all regions and categories of healthcare professionals.
Our commitment to the future will be reinforced through leadership development for young physicians, skill-based training programmes, and the SLCIM Innovation and Research Hub. SIMCON 2026, to be held from the 5th to the 7th of November at Shangri-La, Colombo, will serve as a key platform to advance learning, research, and collaborative leadership.
Unity has always been our greatest strength. I warmly invite all members of the College to walk this journey together — honouring our past, serving our present, and shaping a future that is compassionate, resilient, and innovative.
Together, let us carry forward the spirit of inspiration and the responsibility of innovation — in service of our profession and, above all, in service of our patients.
Dr. N. Madhuwanthi Hettiarachchi
President – 2026
Sri Lanka College of Internal Medicine