CPD Corner

KidsToxLK Paediatric Poison Information and Research Centre, University of Kelaniya, will host an interactive session on “Capacity Building in Paediatric Poison Centres” on 30 October 2026, from 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.

The session will feature Professor Miguel Marcelo Glatstein, M.D., Professor and Faculty Member at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel, and Director of the Clinical Toxicology Service at Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.

The session aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen capacity in paediatric clinical toxicology and poison information services. Participation is by invitation only.

The Indian Society of Toxicology (IST) is hosting an upcoming Guest Expert Webinar featuring Dr. D. Ajith Dissanayake, Poison Information Specialist/Expert at the KidsToxLK Paediatric Poison Information & Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Geographic Diversity of Russell’s Viper

From Venom Biology to the Bedside – Lessons from Sri Lanka and Implications from South Asia

Dr. Dissanayake, who has over 25 years of clinical and academic experience in toxicology and holds a PhD in Medical Toxicology/Snake Toxicology, will explore the geographic diversity of Russell’s viper, venom biology and the implications for bedside management across Sri Lanka and South Asia.

📅 Saturday, 10 October 2026

🕝 2:30–3:30 PM IST

💻 Online | Free Registration

The webinar will include a keynote lecture followed by an interactive Q&A and case-based discussion, making it a valuable CPD opportunity for clinicians, postgraduate trainees, medical officers and students interested in toxicology and emergency medicine.

As the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, celebrates 35 years of excellence in medical education, research and patient care, an exciting symposium on “Clinical and Translational Toxicology: Managing Poisoning and Envenoming in Sri Lanka” will take centre stage at the 35th Anniversary International Scientific Conference.

Bringing together leading experts from Sri Lanka and Israel, this timely symposium will explore some of the most challenging and clinically relevant areas of toxicology—from complex poisoning presentations and drug overdose to childhood snakebites and the diverse clinical implications of Russell’s viper envenoming.

The distinguished panel includes Prof. Miguel Glatstein (Israel), Prof. Kavinda Dayasiri, Prof. Namal Rathnayaka and Dr. D. Ajith Dissanayake, offering a unique opportunity to learn from experts at the forefront of clinical toxicology and envenoming.

📅 30 October 2026

⏰ 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM

📍 Vistara, Faculty of Medicine, Ragama

🎓 2.5 CPD points for the symposium | 6.5 CPD points for the full day

An afternoon of cutting-edge knowledge, clinical insights and practical approaches to poisoning and envenoming—bringing together expertise, evidence and experience under one roof.

Registration is now open.

KidsToxLK Paediatric Poison Information and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, in collaboration with the Research Management Committee and the Department of Medical Education, is pleased to announce the next session in its CPD Corner series titled “How to Secure Funding for Health Professions Research.”

This hybrid session will be delivered by Professor Lynn V Monrouxe, Professor of Healthcare Professions Education Research at the University of Sydney, Australia, on 5th March from 12.00 pm to 1.00 pm at the Board Room, Faculty of Medicine, with online participation available.

The session will provide practical guidance on identifying funding opportunities, developing competitive grant proposals, and strengthening research impact. Participants will be awarded 1 CPD point (approved by the Ministry of Health).

All interested academic staff and healthcare professionals are warmly invited to attend. Please register using the QR code provided in the flyer.

KidsToxLK Paediatric Poison Information and Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, in collaboration with the Research Management Committee and the Department of Medical Education, is pleased to announce an upcoming hybrid webinar titled “Navigating the Literature Review Landscape.”

The session will be delivered by Professor Lynn V Monrouxe, Professor of Healthcare Professions Education Research at the University of Sydney, Australia. This interactive session will take place on 3rd March from 12.00 pm to 1.00 pm at the Board Room, Faculty of Medicine, with online access available for registered participants.

This webinar will provide valuable insights into conducting and structuring high-quality literature reviews, particularly for early-career researchers and postgraduate trainees. All interested academic staff and students are warmly invited to participate. Please register using the QR code provided in the flyer.

KidsToxLK Paediatric Poison Information and Research Centre, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, will conduct a CPD-accredited educational webinar titled “Unexplained Metabolic Acidosis: Recognizing Poisoning Mimickers” on 14th January from 12.00 PM onwards.

The workshop aims to enhance clinicians’ ability to identify toxicological causes and mimickers of metabolic acidosis in children through a case-based and practical approach. The programme will be moderated by Professor Namal Rathnayaka, Professor in Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.

The session will include a case presentation by Dr. Yashodha Samarakoon (Registrar in Paediatrics, North Colombo Teaching Hospital), followed by expert talks on toxicological evaluation of metabolic acidosis by Professor Kavinda Dayasiri (Professor in Paediatrics, University of Kelaniya) and an approach to the child with metabolic acidosis by Dr. Imalke Kankananarachchi (Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics, University of Ruhuna).

The webinar carries 1.00 CPD point and is targeted at paediatricians, medical officers, and other healthcare professionals involved in child health care. Participants can join the session via the QR code provided in the event announcement.

KidsToxLK Paediatric Poison Information Centre is pleased to announce an upcoming CPD educational programme titled “Paediatric Poisoning and Snakebite Management: Essentials for Students of the University of Indigenous Medicine.”

This programme will be held on 17 January 2026 from 8.30 a.m. onwards, in collaboration with the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine. The session is designed to provide essential, evidence-based knowledge on the recognition and early management of paediatric poisoning and snakebite, with particular relevance to local clinical and community settings in Sri Lanka.

The programme will feature expert faculty including Professor Kavinda Dayasiri (Consultant Paediatrician), Dr Ravindra Weerasinghe (Ayurvedic Paediatrician), Dr M.N.S. Marasinghe (Ayurvedic Paediatrician), and Dr Ajith Dissanayake (Medical Toxicologist).

Through this initiative, KidsToxLK continues its commitment to capacity building and interprofessional education to improve child safety and outcomes related to poisoning and envenomation in Sri Lanka.

A Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session titled “From Evidence to Practice: Use of AI in Research” will be held on 13th February 2026 from 12.00 noon to 1.00 pm. The session will be delivered by Prof. Amaranth Karunanayake, Associate Professor in Physiology, University of Ruhuna, and moderated by Prof. Kavinda Dayasiri.

The programme will focus on the practical application of artificial intelligence in research, bridging the gap between emerging evidence and real-world research practice. It is co-organised by KidsToxLK and the Research Management Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.

Participants will be awarded 1.00 CPD point by the Education and Training Unit of the Ministry of Health. Registration details are available via the QR code on the announcement.

A Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session titled “Rodenticide Pesticide Poisoning among Children” will be held on 12th February 2026 from 12.00 noon to 1.00 pm. The session will be delivered by Dr Indira Madhavan, MD, MSc (Medical Toxicology), Professor at the Government Medical College, Thrissur, India, and moderated by Prof. Kavinda Dayasiri.

This session will address the epidemiology, clinical features, and management principles of rodenticide poisoning in children, with a focus on practical challenges relevant to clinical settings in the region. The programme is organised by KidsToxLK – the Paediatric Poisoning Information and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.

Participants will receive 1.00 CPD point, awarded by the Education and Training Unit of the Ministry of Health. Registration details are available via the QR code provided in the announcement.

KidsToxLK Paediatric Poison Information and Research Centre, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, will host an expert webinar titled “Managing Scorpion Stings in Children” on 17th December from 12.00 PM onwards. The session brings together leading clinicians to address an increasingly important area in paediatric emergency care.

Dr. Nayani Suraweera, Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics at the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, will open the event with a session on “Paediatric Scorpion Stings: Interesting Cases from Sri Lanka.” This will be followed by Dr. Hanane Chaoui, MD, PhD, Head of the Toxicovigilance Department at the Centre Anti-poison et de Pharmacovigilance du Maroc, who will speak on “Paediatric Scorpion Stings: What Do Clinicians Need to Know.” Healthcare professionals can join the event by scanning the QR code provided on the official event flyer. Participants are eligible for 1.25 CPD points.

KidsToxLK, in collaboration with the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, is pleased to announce an upcoming educational session titled “Common Household Poisonings in Children.”

The session will be conducted by Dr. Ajith Dissanayake (MBBS, MSc, PhD), a Poison Information Specialist at KidsToxLK, on 11th December 2025, from 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm, at the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine in Gampaha.

This awareness programme aims to strengthen understanding among students and healthcare trainees about common toxic exposures in the home environment, early warning signs of poisoning, essential first-aid responses, and practical preventive strategies to safeguard children.

As part of KidsToxLK’s mission to enhance paediatric poisoning prevention and community education across Sri Lanka, this session will provide valuable knowledge for future practitioners and public health advocates.

All interested participants are warmly invited to attend.

The KidsToxLK Paediatric Poison Information and Research Centre, in collaboration with the Research Management Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, will host a hands-on workshop titled:

“How to Do a Literature Survey – Let’s Do a Search for a Toxicology-related Study.”

🗓 Date: 25th November 2025

🕛 Time: 12.00 – 1.15 pm

📍 Venue: Computer Lab, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya

Resource Person: Dr. Lakmini Marasinghe, Librarian, Faculty of Medicine

Moderator: Professor Kavinda Dayasiri

Participants will gain practical skills in conducting effective literature searches using online databases, with a special focus on toxicology-related research.

✅ 1.25 CPD points will be awarded by the Education and Training Unit of the Ministry of Health.

📲 Register now by scanning the QR code on the poster

The KidsToxLK Paediatric Poison Information and Research Center, in collaboration with the Education, Training and Research Unit (ETR) of the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, will conduct a one-day training workshop on “Community-Based Paediatric Snakebite Risk Management for Public Health Midwives” on 7th November 2025 at the Auditorium of the District General Hospital, Ampara.

This capacity-building program aims to empower Public Health Midwives (PHMs) working in high-risk rural communities with the essential knowledge and practical skills required for early identification, first-aid, and prevention of paediatric snakebites.

The workshop will be inaugurated by Dr. Ranga Chandrasena (Director, DGH Ampara), Dr. Nishshanka Wijewardena (RDHS Ampara), and Dr. Samantha Ranasinghe (Director, ETR Unit, Ministry of Health). The program will be led by Dr. Kavinda Dayasiri, Director of KidsToxLK and Professor in Paediatrics at the University of Kelaniya.

Interactive sessions will include audiovisual demonstrations on snake identification, first-aid for paediatric snakebites, and community-based prevention strategies, facilitated by subject experts. Five hands-on parallel workshops will follow, focusing on key aspects of paediatric snakebite management: 

(1) First-aid for paediatric snakebites and avoiding harmful practices, 

(2) Enhancing community awareness and education, 

(3) Identifying snakes and responding safely to encounters, 

(4) Recognising warning signs and coordinating emergency transport, 

(5) Prevention of snakebites and promoting home safety. 

Participants will receive 3.25 CPD points, accredited by the Ministry of Health Sri Lanka. This initiative forms part of KidsToxLK’s broader commitment to strengthening the capacity of frontline health workers and promoting community-based strategies to reduce the burden of paediatric snakebites across Sri Lanka.

Discover how New Zealand tackles household poisoning in children — from prevention to rapid response. 🧴☠

🗓️ 6th November, 12 Noon

👩‍⚕ Featuring Lucy Shieffelbien, Service Delivery Manager, National Poisons Centre, New Zealand

🎓 Moderated by Professor Kavinda Dayasiri

Earn 1.25 CPD points | Organised by KidsToxLK, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from global experience and strengthen child safety in our communities!

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76997557201?pwd=98fKc2A4Zeb6u1oh7XKLumdsG7cXlI.1