Duke/Duke-NUS South and Southeast Asia Climate and Health Observatory Conference

A timely and significant initiative, the Duke/Duke-NUS South and Southeast Asia Climate and Health Observatory Conference was held on 1 June 2026 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. The conference was co-organized by Duke University and Duke-NUS Medical School. Prof. Champica Bodinayake, Senior Prof. Ajith Nagahawatte, Dr. Subodha Wickramasinghe, Dr. Ruvini Kurukulasooriya, Ms. Anuththara Kariyawasam, Ms. Senali Weerasinghe, and Mr. Pramitha Evin attended the event, representing the Duke-Ruhuna Collaborative Research Centre (DRCRC), upon invitation by Prof. Nishad Jayasundara, Co-Lead of the conference.

The conference brought together regional experts to address challenges at the intersection of climate change and public health, promoting collaboration and identifying research priorities. Panel discussions highlighted climate-health risks, research approaches, and the role of higher education in building future capacity, emphasizing multidisciplinary and evidence-based strategies.

As panel speaker, Prof. Bodinayake made a notable contribution by emphasizing the integration of multidisciplinary data to better understand climate-sensitive disease transmission and public health outcomes in Sri Lanka.

Breakout sessions further explored research priorities and partnerships, with active DRCRC participation. This engagement reflects DRCRC’s commitment to advancing research, strengthening collaborations, and addressing climate-related health challenges in Sri Lanka and the region.