As part of the Global Health Summit 2025, the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with UNFPA Sri Lanka and FPA Sri Lanka, hosted a timely and thought-provoking colloquium on the medical, legal, and ethical dimensions of terminating pregnancies in cases of congenital lethal anomalies.

The session opened with remarks from UNFPA Sri Lanka Country Representative Mr. Kunle Adeniyi and a presentation on the country context by Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, President of the College of Community Physicians. The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Dayanath Ranatunga of UNFPA, featured expert contributions from:

• Dr. Nimesha Gamhewage – College of Paediatricians

• Dr. Sanath Akmeemana – President, Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

• Dr. Chandima Siritunga – Director Maternal Child Health, Family Health Bureau

• Dr. Chintha Rupasinghe – Director SRH - FPA Sri Lanka

• Ms. Uda Deshapriya – Lawyer and Researcher

The session concluded with an open dialogue, encouraging collaborative thinking to shape policies that are medically sound, legally informed, and grounded in dignity and care.

In addition to our Executive Director, Dr. Ruchitha Perera, Senior Management Team and FPA staff, the IPPF delegation; Ms. Nitu Verma (Chief Commercial Officer), Ms. Polvvsha Syyedd (Finance Business Partner), and Ms. Francesca Witcomb (Marketing Advisor), who are currently on an official four-day visit, also attended the session.