Third Advisory Board Meeting of the Ruhuna Duke Centre for Infectious Diseases (RDCID)

The 3rd Advisory Board Meeting of the Ruhuna Duke Centre for Infectious Diseases (RDCID) was successfully held on 26th March 2026 at the Skills Laboratory, Clinical Block, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, with both onsite and virtual participation.

The meeting brought together a distinguished panel of international and local experts, collaborators, and researchers to review the progress and future directions of RDCID. Advisory Board members included Prof. Duane Gubler, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, Prof. Aruna Dharshan De Silva, and Dr. Chandanamali Punchihewa.

During the meeting, updates were presented on ongoing research activities related to acute febrile illness surveillance, respiratory infections, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), infective endocarditis surveillance, and the Sri Lanka One Health University Network (SLOHUN). Discussions also highlighted the continued expansion of RDCID research activities and collaborations with local and international partners.

A major focus of the meeting was the development of the Advanced Molecular Diagnosis Facility at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna. Progress on laboratory infrastructure development, future expansion plans, and strengthening diagnostic and research capacity were discussed.

The meeting also reviewed recent achievements in capacity building, research grants, publications, and conference presentations. Advisory Board members provided valuable recommendations on strengthening collaborations, expanding surveillance activities, and exploring future funding opportunities to ensure the long-term sustainability of RDCID initiatives.

The RDCID team expressed its sincere appreciation to all Advisory Board members, collaborators, and staff members for their continued guidance and support in advancing infectious disease research and public health initiatives in Sri Lanka.