Research work on leishmaniasis was formally initiated at Parasitic Disease Research Unit (PDRU) in 2001. Over the last two and a half decades PDRU has broadened its scope and continued to grow in its expertise, providing diagnostic services, training and research as a leader in the field of leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka.

Following the outbreak in the North-Central Province of the country which prompted the stepping up of the work on leishmaniasis, A weekly clinic was established at PDRU with limited resources and space. Initial activities included clinical examination and laboratory confirmation of diagnosis, which was limited to microscopy and culture at the outset. Leishmaniasis is now considered to be endemic in Sri Lanka and has been made a notifiable disease since 2008 which was a direct result of the pioneering efforts undertaken by PDRU.

The patient and laboratory services and the training has now expanded to the status of a reference laboratory and a specialised unit for training, research and diagnosis of leishmaniasis.  It is the first such diagnostic and research laboratory established in the country that performs direct microscopy, in-vitro culture, PCR and serological assays that are offered free-of-charge to all patients. The infrastructure and staff training continue to be financially supported through many local and international research grants. Over 3000 patients thus far, who were referred by medical professionals from all nine provinces of Sri Lanka have made use of these services for the confirmation of diagnosis prior to treatment. There are ongoing training programmes on leishmaniasis that are offered to post graduate medical trainees and students in biomedical sciences pursuing higher degrees by research. Such studies have resulted in numerous scientific publications in journals of high repute. Tailor-made training programmes are also made available ‘on demand’, to personnel from other institutions such as the Ministry of Health, military hospitals and hospitals in the private sector.

With a state-of-the-art research laboratory established more recently, PDRU continues to build the capacity to undertake the current and future challenges in diagnosis, prevention and control of leishmaniasis.