NEWS: Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Sri Lanka

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Between 27 – 29 August 2024, RESPIRE collaborators from RESPIRE’s eight partner countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UK) as well as Canada, New Zealand and the USA gathered to share project updates, discuss research priorities and strengthen collaboration to improve global respiratory health.

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Sharing, learning and collaborating

Throughout the three-day meeting, 110 senior academics and medics delivered and engaged with informative presentations, interactive workshops and thought-provoking lectures related to RESPIRE’s research programmes and supporting platforms.

The keynote lecture, presented by Professor Surinder Jaswal (Tata Institute of Social Sciences and RESPIRE International Steering Committee) on 29 August 2024 was titled "Gender Inclusion and Mainstreaming in Health Research”. This insightful lecture was followed by an interactive panel discussion led by Professor Liz Grant (University of Edinburgh).

Presentation slides are available for RESPIRE colleagues through the internal Teams site

In between presentations, delegates had the opportunity to network with representatives from every RESPIRE activity. A poster display featuring 30 posters from each of RESPIRE’s projects described the latest findings, learnings and plans. Click the link below to download the poster abstract list.

Engaging with Sri Lankan stakeholders

The ASM’s inauguration ceremony honoured Sri Lankan custom through the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, included addresses by Chief Guest, Dr Palitha Mahipala and Guest of Honour, Professor Sampath Amaratunge. Following formalities, a cultural show, performed by the Channa and Uppali Dance Institute (sponsored by Sri Lanka Convention Bureau under Ministry of Tourism) and a Sri Lankan Calypso-style baila band provided a vibrant atmosphere for social and networking with external guests, including:

• Dr Palitha Mahipala - Secretary, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
• Professor Sampath Amaratunge - Chairperson, University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka
• Dr Inoka Suraweer - Environmental and Occupational Health Division, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
• Professor MD Lamawansa - Former Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya
• Professor MM Pathmalal - Vice Chancellor, University of Sri Jayawardenapura
• Dr Lucian Jayasuriya - Former Director General of Health and Founder member of Primary Care Respiratory Group in Sri Lanka
• Dr Sunil de Alwis and Dr Lakshmi Somathunge – Secretaries, representing additional high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Health who could not attend
• Professor Manori Gamage - Dean of Faculty of Medical Sciences, USJP
• Dr Neranjan Dissanayake - President, Sri Lanka College of Pulmonologists
• Dr Manoj Fernando - National Authority for Tobacco and Alcohol Control in Sri Lanka

This gallery is a selection of photos taken by the photographers at J'pura Flames, based at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. All photographs from the inauguration can be accessed through their Facebook page:

• J'pura Flames (2024) Respire Annual Scientific Session Album 01. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/kYszGa9So6kkgUnG/?mibextid=qi2Omg (Accessed: 20 September 2024).
• J'pura Flames (2024) Respire Annual Scientific Session Album 02. Available at: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/jifc7d5xqfEJ6RCf/?mibextid=qi2Omg (Accessed: 20 September 2024).

Press coverage of the ASM

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The ASM garnered significant interest of the local Sri Lankan media, with the press conference attracting representatives from 14 local news outlets, resulting in the following publications:

• Sunday Times (2024) Indoor Air Quality SL to Launch Vital Study. Available at: https://www.sundaytimes.lk/240825/news/indoor-air-quality-sl-to-launch-vital-study-568599.html (Accessed: 20 September 2024).
• Suratha News (2024) World Leading Experts Convene in Sri Lanka to Combat Respiratory Disease Burden in Asia. Available at: https://www.sundaytimes.lk/240825/news/indoor-air-quality-sl-to-launch-vital-study-568599.html (Accessed: 20 September 2024).
• Yarlosai (2024) Increase in Respiratory Diseases Linked to Urbanization and Pollution. Available at: https://yarlosai.lk/news/9591/view (Accessed: 20 September 2024).
• News First (2024) Increase in Respiratory Diseases Linked to Urbanization and Pollution. Available at: https://newsfirst.lk/2024/08/29/increase-in-respiratory-diseases-linked-to-urbanization-and-pollution (Accessed: 20 September 2024).
• Daily Mirror (2024) RESPIRE’s low-cost, scalable policy, clinical interventions to reduce respiratory diseases, deaths in Sri Lanka. Available at: https://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/RESPIREs-low-cost-scalable-policy-clinical-interventions-to-reduce-respiratory-diseases-deaths-in-Sri-Lanka/273-290633 (Accessed: 20 September 2024).
• Daily FT (2024) World-leading experts convene in Sri Lanka to combat respiratory disease burden in Asia. Available at: https://www.ft.lk/news/World-leading-experts-convene-in-Sri-Lanka-to-combat-respiratory-disease-burden-in-Asia/56-766178 (Accessed: 20 September 2024).
• Daily Mirror (2024) Air pollution, changes in climate and rapid urbanization have led to a surge in the number of respiratory illnesses, top officials say. Available at: https://www.dailymirror.lk/print/news/Air-pollution-changes-in-climate-and-rapid-urbanization-have-led-to-a-surge-in-the-number-of-respiratory-illnesses-top-officials-say/239-290995 (Accessed: 20 September 2024).

Click the link below to read the press release, which gives an overview of RESPIRE's work in Sri Lanka.

The meeting continued outside the conference hall

As part of the ASM, delegates were given a chance to visit the University of Sri Jayewardenepura’s Family Practice Centre and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre, as well as the Medical Office of Boralesgamuwa and a primary health care centre. The site visits allowed delegates to understand how Sri Lanka’s healthcare system operates, and learn how the RESPIRE Sri Lanka team are collaborating with local clinics to further respiratory health research.

After the ASM, a smaller group of delegates attended an additional site visit in Kandy, a city located four hours North of Colombo. The overnight trip included a tour of a Chest Clinic specialising in Tuberculoisis, and a presentation delivered at the World Heritage Site and RESPIRE partner, University of Peradeniya.

Throughout late-August, ASM-adjacent RESPIRE activities took place in Colombo:

• RESPIRE’s Stakeholder Engagement Champions meeting, led by Platform I
• Pandemic Preparedness Exercise (SimEX), led by ISARIC
• RESPIRE Leadership School, led by Platform II with input from Platform I
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation workshop, led by Dr GM Monsur Habib and Professor Savithri Wimalasekera

Thank you to everyone who contributed to an excellent ASM in Sri Lanka

RESPIRE would like to express their deepest gratitude to all who participated in this year’s ASM. A further thanks to the following teams who were pivotal to successful organisation and delivery of the event:

• The RESPIRE Sri Lanka team, led by Professor Savithri Wimalasekera, Professor Duminda Yasaratne and Dr Dushantha Madegedara
• The RESPIRE Core Team, led by Dr Dominique Balharry
• Nimalka Morahela and team at HnA Consulting & Events
• Nalina Wanasinghe and team at Impress Events
• J’Pura Flames
• Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, Colombo