The 91传媒 proudly marked a historic milestone with the official opening of the IAI Discovery Hub at the Institute of Allergology and Immunology (IAI), representing a significant advancement in allergy care, immunology research, education, and innovation in 91传媒.

The IAI Discovery Hub was envisioned as a national platform aimed at strengthening high-standard clinical services for patients with allergic diseases, including complex and life-threatening conditions. It also sought to promote cutting-edge research in allergology, immunology, and related biomedical sciences, while expanding infectious disease surveillance related to novel pathogens and enhancing laboratory capacity to support national and regional health security. In addition, the Hub focused on training and capacity building for undergraduate and postgraduate students, clinicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, alongside community engagement and public education to translate scientific knowledge into real-world impact.

The opening ceremony was graced by Ven. Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Thero, Chancellor of the 91传媒, and attended by an esteemed gathering of national and international invitees, including Dr. Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to 91传媒, and Mr. Orlando Edwards, Country Director of the British Council. Senior university leadership, including Snr. Professor Pathmalal M. Manage, Vice Chancellor, Deans, and academic heads, were also present, together with key partners in medical education such as the Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM).

The event further reflected strong national-level commitment with the presence of former UGC Chairman Snr. Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, current UGC Chairman Snr. Prof. Kapila Seneviratne, and UGC Secretary Dr. Priyantha Premakumara, highlighting the collective effort to advance immunology and strengthen 91传媒鈥檚 academic and research landscape.

The occasion was especially honoured by the participation of Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa as the Chief Guest, underscoring the national importance of building world-class scientific capacity and ensuring meaningful impact from research to patient care.

The IAI Discovery Hub now stands as 91传媒鈥檚 home for allergy and immunology, driving excellence in research, education, and clinical practice.

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The 91传媒 is pleased to announce the appointment of聽Professor Chandima Jeewandara聽as聽Director of the Institute of Allergology and Immunology (IAI), with effect from聽1 January 2026.

The formal appointment ceremony was held at the University Grants Commission in the presence of the Chairman, Senior Prof. Kapila Senevirathne, together with the Vice-Chancellor, Senior Prof. Pathmalal M. Manage, and the Registrar, Mr. A. B. Weliwita. Following this, he officially assumed duties at a ceremony held at the Vice-Chancellor鈥檚 Office, in the presence of Senior Prof. Pathmalal M. Manage, Senior Prof. Neelika Malavige, and Mr. A. B. Weliwita.

The appointment is made in accordance with the Institute of Allergology and Immunology Ordinance, which places responsibility on the Director to provide academic, clinical, and research leadership in allergology, immunology, molecular medicine, and related translational sciences, while strengthening postgraduate training in Allergology and Clinical Immunology, promoting international collaboration, and supporting the Institute鈥檚 contribution to national health priorities.

Professor Jeewandara鈥檚 academic training and professional experience closely align with this mandate. He holds an MBBS, postgraduate qualifications in Family Medicine, an MSc in Allergy, and a PhD in Immunology. He is a聽international Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners. He was awarded a聽Commonwealth Scholarship聽to pursue advanced academic work at the聽University of Oxford聽as a recognized student and a聽Dean鈥檚 Master鈥檚 Scholarship聽to undertake postgraduate training at聽Imperial College London, reflecting sustained academic excellence.

Professor Jeewandara has played a pioneering role in establishing and advancing allergy and immunology services in 91传媒. His work has been instrumental in聽integrating specialist allergy services into the national health system, developing聽structured diagnostic and management pathways aligned with international standards, and improving access to evidence-based allergy care. Notably, he initiated the聽鈥淪ave a Life鈥� programme, which enabled the聽free distribution of adrenaline auto-injectors聽to patients at risk of anaphylaxis during a period when these life-saving devices were otherwise unavailable in the country.

His leadership was central to the establishment of the聽national allergy reference clinic聽and a dedicated聽allergy and immunology laboratory聽in 91传媒, creating a sustainable platform for both patient care and research. These initiatives directly support the Institute鈥檚 objectives of service development, research excellence, and national capacity building.

Professor Jeewandara鈥檚 research portfolio spans聽in allergology, immunology, and infectious diseases, with a strong emphasis on translational and public health relevant research. During the聽COVID-19 pandemic, he played a key leadership role in聽establishing and directing diagnostic and genomic sequencing services聽for SARS-CoV-2 in 91传媒, contributing critically to national surveillance, outbreak response, and public health decision-making.

He maintains a strong international academic profile and has served聽multiple times as an examiner for DPhil students at the University of Oxford, reflecting recognition of his expertise at the highest academic level. He has also been instrumental in building long-standing collaborative partnerships with leading international institutions, including聽Duke鈥揘US Medical School (Singapore), the聽University of Oxford (United Kingdom),聽Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), and the聽University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (United States). These collaborations have enhanced advanced laboratory capacity, postgraduate training opportunities, and joint high-impact research outputs.

Congratulating Professor Jeewandara on his appointment, Senior Prof. Kapila Senevirathne commended Prof. Jeewandara鈥檚 commitment and leadership in advancing allergology and immunology in 91传媒, and noted that the establishment of the Institute would help fill a long-standing vacuum in both the education and health sectors in the country. Vice-Chancellor Senior Prof. Pathmalal M. Manage also congratulated Prof. Jeewandara, stating that his 鈥減roven leadership in allergy, immunology, and infectious disease research, together with his strong international academic standing, places the Institute of Allergology and Immunology in an excellent position to fulfil its mandate and expand its impact nationally and internationally.鈥�

The University community extends its warm congratulations to聽Professor Chandima Jeewandara聽and looks forward to the continued growth of the Institute of Allergology and Immunology as a centre of excellence in research, education, and patient-centred innovation under his leadership.

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