Symposium on “Dermal Infectious Diseases focusing on Leishmaniasis and Leprosy”
A symposium on “Dermal Infectious Diseases focusing on Leishmaniasis and Leprosy” was held on 20th February 2026 from 9 am to 5 pm, at the UCFM Tower, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo. The event was organized by the Department of Parasitology, in partnership with the VALIDATE network, United Kingdom, who financially supported the event.
The symposium aimed to bring together researchers, healthcare professionals and policy makers to share the latest advancements, challenges and strategies in the fight against these dermal neglected tropical diseases.
The symposium sessions were held under 4 main themes viz. Session on Epidemiology and control of dermal leishmaniasis (six presentations), Session on Immunology of dermal leishmaniasis and leprosy (three presentations), a Session on Diagnosis of dermal leishmaniasis and leprosy (six presentations) and a Session on Treatment of CL, PKDL, Leprosy (three presentations). Forty-five participants attended the event, which included 31 local and 14 foreign participants.
Local participants’ institutions: Eight universities
Department of Parasitology – University of Kalaniya
Department of Parasitology – University of Sri Jayawardanapura
Department of Parasitology – University of Jaffna
Department of Parasitology – University of Ruhuna
Department of Microbiology – University of Colombo
Department of Pathology – University of Colombo
Department of Zoology – University of Sri Jayawardanapura
Department of Zoology – University of Peradeniya
Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health
Anti Malaria Campaign, Ministry of Health
Anti Leprosy Campaign, Ministry of Health
College of Microbiologists
College of Dermatologists
NHSL
Hambantota Base Hospital
PGIM
KDU
SLIBTEC
