Dr. Mahesh Rajasuriya - University of Colombo

Personal details:
Full name: Chaminda Mahesh Rajasuriya
Gender: Male
Current employer:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Positions, professional membership and other
affiliations:
� Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist to National Hospital of Sri Lanka,
Colombo.
� Honorary Consultant to Mel Medura, Sri Lanka Sumithrayo Drug
Demand Reduction Programme, Colombo, Sri Lanka since December
2010.
� Honorary External Consultant to the Alcohol and Drug Information
Centre (ADIC), Colombo, Sri Lanka since 2010.
� Former assistant Treasurer of Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists (SLCPsy)
in 2005/06 and from since 2008/ 09 until 2009/ 10.
� Life member of Sri Lanka Medical Association since 2010.
� Board Certification as a consultant psychiatrist by the Postgraduate
Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2007.
� Registration of MD (Psychiatry) postgraduate degree with Sri Lanka
Medical Council (SLMC), Sri Lanka, in 2006
� Full registration as a medical practitioner with SLMC in 2001.
University Education:
Qualifications:
Date Qualification Place of training Results
Aug
2005
Jul
1999
MD (Psych) Postgraduate Institute of Medicine
(PGIM), University of Colombo,
Sri Lanka
M.B.B.S. Faculty of Medicine,
University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Other Achievements during undergraduate education:
� Secretary of the Hostel Committee, 1998/ 99
� Member of the batch debate team, 1997/ 98
� Member of the batch cricket team, 1997/ 98
� Runners’ up champion of inter-batch carom tournament, 1997
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2nd in order of
merit
2 nd Class Honours

� Representative of Batch in the first year (1993): Represented the newlyarrived
batch at various negotiations with other student batches and staff.
� Member of Organizing Committee of Bloc Celebrations 1994.
School Education:
School attended: St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka.
Qualifications Obtained:
Year 5 scholarship examination 1983: Passed
G.C.E. O/L Examination 1988: Passed with Distinctions in all 6 subjects
G.C.E. A/L Examination 1991: Distinctions (‘A’ grade passes) in all subjects.
All-island first in the order of merit obtaining an overall
aggregate of 325 out of 400.
Other Achievements at school:
� First place in Divisional Short Story Competition, 1988
� Gold Medal for the most outstanding student at the College English Day
in two consecutive years, 1987, 1988
� Captain of the General Knowledge team, 1989
� College Head Prefect post, 1990/91
� Founder member/ president of the Chess Circle, 1991
� President of the Science Society, 1991
� Mahapola Merit Scholarship for undergraduate education, 1992
Current position:
Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Consultant Psychiatrist, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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Date Duration Specialty
30/09/2010 to
current date
5 months
Academic work in psychiatry including teaching and
research.
Clinical work in general adult psychiatry including
psychotherapy and consultant liaison.
Work Experience:
As a Senior Lecturer I am involved in teaching of medical students in the form of
lectures, small group discussions, problem based learning and clinical teaching,
and also in their assessment/ examinations. I am also involved in teaching of
other courses offered by the Faculty of Medicine, including allied health sciences
students.
As a Consultant Psychiatrist I give clinical leadership to a multidisciplinary team,
involved in supervision of junior doctors and direct clinical care of patients. I
have a special clinical interest in psychotherapy and liaison psychiatry.
Consultant positions held in Sri Lanka:
Consultant Psychiatrist, Teaching Hospital, Kegalle, Sri Lanka.
Date Duration Specialty
12/05/2010 to
30/09/2010
4 months
General adult psychiatry.
Consultant Psychiatrist, Mental Health Unit (MHU), General Hospital,
Ampara, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka.
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Date Duration Specialty
27/08/2008 to
08/05/2010
19 months
General adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry,
liaison psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, psychotherapy,
community psychiatry.
Work Experience:
Clinical leadership of a multidisciplinary team, supervision of junior doctors,
direct clinical care for individual patients, medico legal duties within the role of a
consultant psychiatrist.
On call duties: every day.
I was the only and first-ever consultant psychiatrist for the district of
Digamadulla (Ampara and Kalmunai divisions), and also, the only consultant
psychiatrist for the whole of Eastern Province at one time.
In addition to the standard role of taking clinical and administrative leadership
at the Mental Health Unit, General Hospital, Ampara, I had been involved with
rapid development of mental health services outside the hospital, including
setting up a rehabilitation unit, introduction of community based case
management model and a telephone triage service.
Service development and administrative work:
� Involved in development of Ampara Mental Health Service (AMHS) with
following functioning components as subdivisions:
o Mental Health Unit (MHU) – Inpatient bloc, General Hospital,
Ampara
� Bed capacity and average occupancy rate more than doubled
since my appointment.
� Minimal standards have been set up in clinical care.
o Mental Health Continuing Care Service – Hospital-based clinics
� At MHU outpatient bloc, General Hospital, Ampara
� New patient registration has more than doubled since
my appointment.
� New clinics started:
o Child and adolescent clinic in liaison with Youth
Friendly Health Service (YFHS) - Ampara.
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o Psychotherapy sessions and psychological
assessments including:
� Dynamic therapy
� Couple therapy
� Habit reversal and other behaviour therapy
� Sex therapy
� Anxiety management
� Hypnosis
� IQ assessments
� At Base Hospital, Dehiattakandiya, District Hospital, Maha-Oya
and Rural Hospital, Senarathpura
� Started after my appointment.
� Once a month clinic by consultant with cover by Medical
Officer of Mental Health (MOMH) for other days of the
week.
� And many other hospitals in the Ampara division.
o Mental Health Continuing Care Service – Case Management
Service
� Newly established introducing case management model to Sri
Lanka for the first time.
� Three-day resident training programmes were held to train
volunteer government officers and other persons as case
managers under supervision.
� Case managers are linked with three or less patients that need
intensive care in the community.
o Mental Health Triage and Support Telephone Service
(MHTSTS), General Hospital, Ampara
� Established in November 2008.
� Provides the entry point to all other services, making the service
seamless.
� Provides support to individual clients as well as organisations
that seek relevant services/ information.
o Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit (MHRU), Senarathpura,
Uhana
� Established in December 2008.
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� Provides resident rehabilitation programme, currently for two,
up to six clients with serious mental illness and disability.
o Mental Health Focal Point (MHFP), Office of Regional Director of
Health Services (RDHS), Ampara
� Coordinates services outside the General Hospital, Ampara.
� Clinics outside the General Hospital, Ampara.
� Training programmes for mental health workers.
� Educational programmes for the public including
schools.
� Campaigning for the development of sustainable and non-hospital based
mental health services in Ampara area in many ways including:
o Organisation of Mental Health Review meeting chaired by Dr. Neil
Fernando at Ampara in February 2009.
o Presentation of the Year Planner for Mental Health in Ampara at the
two-day workshop for Primary Health Care Teams (MOH) at Ampara
in February 2009.
o Presentation of the service delivery model of the AMHS at National
Mental Health Forum, Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in July 2009.
Medical community leadership:
� Former secretary of Gal Oya Nimna Clinical Society (GNCS), Ampara in 2009.
The GNCS is the regional professional medical association for the district of
Ampara since its inception in 2006. The GNCS, based at General Hospital,
Ampara, aims to provide a forum for its members to present their research
and to further their professional and academic development. The Inaugural
Scientific Sessions of the Association were held in October 2008.
� Member of the organising committee of the Second Annual Scientific Sessions
in 2009, which was a three-day event.
Community leadership:
� Founder, Chairman and Executive Committee member of the Foundation for
Promotion of Mental Health (FPMH), Ampara.
o This community based organisation was initiated in February 2009 at
Ampara, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka with the vision of ensuring
continuation and development of AMHS and also functioning as a
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forum to plan and implement mental health promotion activity in the
region.
o It has a comprehensive written constitution, a transparent financial
system with a bank account, an advisory board/ executive committee
and a complete set of office-bearers.
o Further details: www.fpmha.info
� FPMH hosted the inaugural Intersectoral Conference on Prevention of
Suicide (ICPS) in July 2009 to formulate a regional plan and partnership to
reduce suicides, attempts and ideation in the area.
� Member of Ampara District Tobacco Cell, National Authority on Tobacco and
Alcohol.
Positions held in Australia:
Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Registrar, continuing Care Team (CCT),
Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT) and Enhanced CATT (ECATT),
Midwest Area Mental Health Services (MWAMHS), North Western Mental Health,
Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Victoria
Date Duration Specialty Supervisor
18/09/2006
to
01/08/2008
22
months
Work experience and training:
Community based case
management, acute adult
psychiatry in the community
and in hospital
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Dr. Dhushan Illesinghe
MBBS, MD (Psych), FRCPsych, FRANZCP
Dr. Raid Al-Humrany MBBS, FRANZCP
Dr. Pasan Manawadu MBBS, MD (Psych)
1. Consultant Psychiatrist of CATT and ECATT, MWAMHS, Melbourne:
Clinical leadership of a multidisciplinary team, supervision of junior doctors,
direct clinical care for individual patients, medico legal duties within the role of a
consultant psychiatrist.
2. Senior Registrar of CATT and CCT, MWAMHS, Melbourne:
New patient assessment, clinical review of patients as a member of a multidisciplinary
team, preparation of legal and other reports, support for junior
doctors. First on call duties at acute psychiatry in-patient unit, community care

unit, adult mental health rehabilitation unit, clinical liaison/ emergency
department.
On call duties: 1 in 14.
Service development and administrative work:
� Actively involved in changing culture at workplace to increase productivity,
patient care and team cohesion.
� Participated at Cultural Change Workshop on organisational values,
conducted by Melbourne Health at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne,
Australia. In 2007.
Positions held under postgraduate training in Sri Lanka:
Date Duration &
Grade
University Psychiatry Unit, NHSL, Colombo
01/03/2006
to
17/09/2006
7 months
Senior registrar
Specialty Supervisor
General adult
psychiatry
University Psychiatry unit, NCTH, Colombo
01/09/2005
to
28/02/2006
6 months
Senior registrar
General adult
psychiatry, drug /
alcohol rehabilitation
University Psychiatry Unit, NHSL, Colombo (NHSL)
01/01/2005
to
8 months
31/08/2005 Registrar
01/07/2004 6 months General adult
to
psychiatry,
31/12/2004 Registrar psychotherapy
Mental Hospital, Angoda (MHA)
01/01/2004
to
30/06/2004
6 months
Registrar
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Dr. Varuni de Silva MD (Psych),
Prof. N Mendis FRCPsych,
Prof. D Samarasinghe FRCPscyh,
Dr. D R C Hanwella MD (Psych) MRCPsych
Prof. K A L A Kuruppuarachchi MD
(Psych) FRCPsych,
Dr. M U P K Peris MD (Psych) MRCPsych
Liaison psychiatry Prof. D Samarasinghe FRCPscyh
General adult
psychiatry
Dr. D R C Hanwella MD (Psych)
MRCPsych
Dr H Gambheera MD (Psych)

Date Duration &
Grade
Teaching Hospital – Kurunegala (THK)
01/07/2003
to
31/12/2003
15/05/2003
to
30/06/2003
6 months
Registrar
1 ½ months
Specialty Supervisor
General adult and child
psychiatry
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Dr (Mrs.) S C A Arambepola MD (Psych)
Neurology Dr. M T M Riffsy MD
Registrar
University Psychiatry unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama (NCTH)
01/01/2003
to
14/05/2003
4 ½ months
Registrar
General adult
psychiatry, alcohol
rehabilitation
University Psychiatry unit, Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Galle (THG)
District Hospital, Unawatuna (DHU)
01/04/2002
to
31/12/ 2002
9 months
Registrar
Work experience and training:
General adult and child
psychiatry, drug and
alcohol rehabilitation
Prof K A L A Kuruppuarachchi MD
(Psych), MRCPsych,
Dr. M U P K Peris MD (Psych) MRCPsych
Dr. D V J Harischandra FRCPsych,
Dr. R Jayawardene MRCPsych,
Dr. Chandani Hewage MD (Psych)
1. Senior Registrar at University Psychiatry Unit, NHSL, Colombo, Sri Lanka:
Supervision of registrars in their clinical duties, direct clinical care of some
patients, conduction of adult and dolescent clinic. Supervision of the Liaison
Psychiatry (q.v.) and Day Units. Supervision of community care, working as a
team leader of a multidisciplinary community care team. Liaising with Non
Governmental Organisations (NGO’s). Carrying out clinical audit, research
activities, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
Liaison Psychiatry:
During this rotation I assessed and managed patients in the liaison unit. It
provides liaison services to the National Hospital of Colombo. A wide range of
clinical conditions such as deliberate self-harm, medically unexplained
symptoms, drug and alcohol problems, psychological problems of the physically
ill patients, patients who are terminally ill, neuropsychiatric conditions and
pregnancy related disorders are managed in this unit.
On call duties: every day.

Service development and administrative work:
� Coordinator – Pre-MD Psychiatry lecture course 2006 - Sri Lanka College of
Psychiatrists
� Coordinator - undergraduate psychiatry clinical teaching, Faculty of
Medicine, Colombo
� Development of a curriculum for the proposed three-month attachment in
community psychiatry for Registrars in psychiatry
� Administrative duties related to on call rosters, organising teaching etc.
resolving and preventing conflicts among the team members
� Initiation of formal ‘SR supervision by consultant’ programme with Dr.
Varuni de Silva and Prof. Diyanath Samarasinghe.
o Weekly meetings with immediate supervising consultant
o Supervised ward rounds with Prof. Samarasinghe
� Improvement of the day unit:
o Revising the functions of the day unit and adherence to previously
identified guidelines to make its operation more effective
o Improving record keeping by introducing a cover for the day unit
docket
� Establishing a series of activities in University Psychiatric Unit, NHSL,
Colombo:
o Weekly ward class by SR/ registrar for the HOO on practical clinical
matters.
o Weekly Awareness Programme for patients, past patients, their family
and friends to improve their awareness about mental illness and its
treatment.
o Weekly alcohol therapy group.
o Daily short teaching sessions by SR/ registrar for nurses and other staff
members.
o Daily Morning Discussion for inpatients at the occupational therapy
unit to improve patient-staff understanding and cohesion, patients’
orientation and also to assess patients in a different mode.
2. Senior Registrar at University Psychiatry Unit, NCTH, Ragama, Colombo,
Sri Lanka:
In addition to general adult and child psychiatry, responsibilities included
provision of liaison psychiatric services to Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Chest
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Hospital, Walisara, Rehabilitation Hospital, Ragama and peripheral hospitals.
Supervision of the newly started procedure of direct admissions from the out
patient department at NCTH. Conduction of intake assessment of patients
referred to the psychiatric unit from other units and the out patient department.
On call duties: every day.
3. Duties as a Registrar in Sri Lanka:
General Adult Psychiatry
Psychiatric emergencies, inpatients, day hospital patients and clinics.
Liaison Psychiatry
Wide range of clinical conditions such as deliberate self-harm, medically
unexplained symptoms, drug and alcohol problems, psychological problems
of the physically ill patients, patients who are terminally ill, neuropsychiatric
conditions and pregnancy related disorders.
Drug and Alcohol
Mostly patients with problems related to alcohol, cannabis, opioids and
tobacco were seen for detoxification and for individual care with CBT or
motivational therapy. Also involved in facilitation of alcohol group therapies.
Assessment and management of mental and organic disorders related to
substance use were widely applied.
Child psychiatry
I have assessed children with various clinical problems and managed them
under supervision. The assessment and management frequently included
their families as well. Teaching parenting skills, behavioural therapy,
pharmacotherapy and family therapy were used. Liaised with various other
persons like schoolteachers, government officials etc.
Service development and administrative work:
� Restarting the alcohol therapy group, at NCTH, Ragama. The group met for
first time after a break of about one year in January 2006.
� Initiating a handing over process at MHA, Colombo, for the on call doctors
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Post-internship and Internship positions:
Date Duration & grade Specialty Supervisor
Office of Divisional Director of Health Services (DDHS), Laggala-Pallegama, Central
Province, Sri Lanka
01/03/2002 to
31/03/ 2002
1 month
Divisional Director of
Health Services
Community
Medicine
General Hospital, Anuradhapura, North Central Province, Sri Lanka
01/04/2001 to
28/02/ 2002
01/10/2000 to
31/03/ 2001
01/04/2000 to
30/09/2000
11 months
Medical Officer –
Medical Intensive Care
Unit
6 months
House surgeon
6 months
House Physician
Acute and
Intensive Care
Medicine
Gynaecology and
Obstetrics
Teaching and related academic work:
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Provincial Director of Health
Services
Dr. (Mrs.) Gayani Premawansa
MBBS, MD (Medicine), MRCP
Dr. Harsha Kalansooriya MBBS,
MS (Gyn&Obs), MRCGyn&Obs
General Medicine Dr. Wasantha P Dissananyake
MBBS, DCH, MD (Medicine)
As a senior lecturer and a consultant psychiatrist in the university
in Sri Lanka:
� General core teaching tasks in major topics in psychiatry.
� Lecturer at Counselling Diploma organised by Damrivi Foundation,
Colombo.
As a consultant psychiatrist in state sector, Sri Lanka:
� Conducted academic and clinical sessions for doctors, nurses and allied
services in mental health, and for members of other staff as well, in the
Ampara division. Once a month education programme.
� Supervised members of clinical teams giving psychotherapy.

As a trainee in Australia:
� Experience in teaching medical, nursing, occupational therapy, social work
students at MWAMHS, Melbourne, Australia.
As a trainee in Sri Lanka:
� External lecturer at Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo, Sri
Lanka: Lectures on sexual orientation and sexual dysfunction to students of
Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychosocial work.
� Clinical teaching of undergraduates - Faculty of Medicine, University of
Colombo:
o Coordinating the activities related to the three-week Professorial
Clinical Appointment of medical students.
o Involved in introducing a continuous assessment scheme for the
clinical appointment of medical students.
o Supervision of registrars in carrying out teaching activities and the
above assessment.
o Teaching the students the Brief Consultation Technique: Evaluating
and managing patients with poorly explained symptoms at a primary
care level. A technique developed by Prof. Diyanath Samarasinghe,
Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Colombo. This helps the doctor to successfully manage
such patients in busy out patient settings.
� Clinical teaching of undergraduates - Faculty of Medicine, University of
Kelaniya.
� Conduction of Small Group Discussions and Problem Based Learning
Sessions - Faculty of Medicine, Colombo in the Behavioural Sciences Stream
� Lecturer in Lecture Course for MD (Psych) part I organised by Sri Lanka
College of Psychiatrists.
� One-month weekly teaching sessions for registrars and other members of
staff on supportive psychotherapy in collaboration with Dr. Varuni de Silva,
Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Colombo.
� Participation in weekly case discussions and journal clubs: Articles from peerreviewed
journals were discussed. Development of departmental
management guidelines was part of these meetings.
� Clinical teaching - psychiatry postgraduate programme
� Clinical teaching in Diploma in Family Medicine
� CME programme for psychiatric nurses
� Compilation of a series of video clips of clinical material relevant to
teaching and learning
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Participation in workshops/ meetings:
� Annual academic sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2011
� Annual academic sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2009
� Inaugural Annual Academic Sessions of Gal Oya Nimna Clinical Society
at Ampara, Sri Lanka; November 2008
� Regular online CME activity at Medscape LLC, WebMD Health, New
York, NY, USA; Credits earned up to date: 3.25.
� Mother Infant Mental Health Seminar. Conducted by Parent Infant Mental
Health Initiative, at Ballarat Health Service, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. In
2007.
� Management of Clinical Aggression (MoCA). Conducted by Mental
Health Training and Development Unit (MHTDU), North Western Mental
Health, at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. One day
workshop on 21/09/2006.
� Applied Suicidal Intervention Skills Training (ASSIST). Conducted by Life
Works Inc. at Werribee Mercy Hospital, Victoria, Australia. Two-day
workshop on 12- 13/02/2007.
� Annual academic sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists in
collaboration with World Psychiatric Association section on Psychiatry in
Developing Countries and South Asian Forum on Mental Health and
Psychiatry (International), 2006.
� Two-day workshop on Medical Education Research by Dr. S. MacAleer,
Lecturer, University of Dundee, UK, at Faculty of Medicine, University of
Colombo, Colombo in 2006.
� Annual academic sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2005.
� Inaugural academic sessions of the Anuradhapura Clinical Society in 2002.
� Annual academic sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2003.
� Annual academic sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Physicians, 2003.
� Workshops/ meetings related to psychotherapy are included under
‚Experience in Psychotherapy‛.
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Participation as a resource person in workshops/
meetings:
2011:
� Session on alcohol/ drug prevention for offenders sentenced for community
work by Maligawatte Magistrate Courts, Colombo on 11/ 03/8 2011.
� Co-chair for the plenary session of the Workshop on Evidence based Practices
in Mental Health at Primary Care Level organised by the Ministry of Health
and Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) in collaboration of the European
Union on 28 Feb 2011 in Colombo.
� Workshop on Stigma – Post-congress workshop following Annual Academic
Sessions 2011 of Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists at National Institute of
Mental Health, Angoda, Sri Lanka on 26/ 02/ 2011.
� Mind, Madness and Media – a workshop for the staff of the state television
corporation, Rupavahini, in collaboration with Voluntary Services Overseas
(VSO) at Rupavahini Corporation, Colombo, Sri Lanka on 01/ 02/ 2011.
2010:
� Happiness and Freedom – a workshop for the staff of Voluntary Services
Overseas (VSO) at South Asia Partnership Auditorium, Rajagiriya on 20
October 2010.
2009:
� Ampara Mental Health Service: A service delivery model for mental health;
Primary Health Care Workers’ Meeting, Ampara; June 2009
� Ampara Mental Health Service and Year Planner for mental health; Primary
Health Care Workers’ Meeting, Ampara; April 2009
� Introduction of Ampara Mental Health Service; Workshop for Media
personnel; January 2009
� Ampara Mental Health Service: A service delivery model; National Mental
Health Forum at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute; July 2009
� Mental Health Services and Youth Friendly Health Services; Interagency
meeting; January 2009
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� AMHS and Interagency cooperation; District Secretariat, Ampara; January
2009; A special printed information package was prepared.
� Smart use of media; Public lecture organised by Foundation for Promotion of
Mental Health; May 2009
� Lecture series on Stress, anxiety and tension:
o Dehiattakandiya MMV; May 2009
o Sri Lanka Police, Ampara area; June 2009
o Sri Lanka Special Task Force, Ampara area; at the Special CPR training
programme, General Hospital, Ampara; June 2009
o Primary Health Care workers’ meeting, Ampara, June 2009
o Bandaranaike BV, Ampara, June 2009
� Diri Dennan Bala Ganwamu: three-day residential programme to train case
managers; 30 May – 02 June, 2009:
o Introduction to mental illness
o Media and us
o Role of a case manager
� Introductory lecture; Divi Thora Nokota: Interagency conference on suicide
prevention; June 2009
� Speech on Ampara Mental Health Service at Annual academic sessions of the
Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, at Colombo, Sri Lanka; February 2009
2008 and before:
� Speech on Death, Dying and Who Decides It’s Time?; Inaugural Annual
Academic Sessions of Gal Oya Nimna Clinical Society at Ampara, Sri Lanka;
December 2008
� On-going educational and introductory presentation series on Ampara
Mental Health Services for government officers and other stake holders from
December 2008
� Lecture discussion on Coping Techniques at Eastern Province Office of
National Drug Prevention Unit of Civil Security Department; October 2008
� Speech on Psychiatric Assessment of the Poisoned Patient; Pre-Congress
Symposium of Clinical Toxicology Short Course in Colombo, Sri Lanka;
August, 2006; Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology
� Programme to formulate National Protocol for Identification and Treatment
of Depression; Series of meetings held in Colombo, 2006; Ministry of Health
� Workshop on problems related alcohol, drugs, nutrition in collaboration with
the programme to Establish a Provincial Identity in North Central Province
(NCP); At Anuradhapura, 2006; Chief Ministry, NCP
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� Workshop on Counselling Techniques; Training programme for Student
Counsellors from the staff of the University of Moratuwa at Moratuwa,
Colombo, 2006
� One day workshop for counsellors on counselling techniques related to
sexual problems at Head Quarters, Sri Lanka Navy, Colombo, 2006
� Identification of psychotic disorders; Skill development programme for
counsellor assistant officers; Held at Pilimatalawa, Kandy, 2006; Ministry of
Women Empowerment and Social Welfare
� Identification and management of psychological sequelae of trauma; Skill
development programme for counsellor assistant officers; Held at Colombo,
2006; Ministry of Women Empowerment and Social Welfare
� Effective ways of assessing work of counsellors; Awareness of Counselling
Programme for Divisional Secretaries, 2006; Ministry of Women
Empowerment and Social Welfare
� Overview of mental illness and how to identify them; Training programmes
for Prison Welfare Officers, 2006; Department of Prisons and Ministry of
Women Empowerment and Social Welfare
� Health promotion, relationships, alcohol and drugs, and examinations;
Education programme at D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo, 2004 and 2006
� Lecture on Self Image and Factors that Govern the Behaviour of Young Men;
Weekly Current Affairs session of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia,
Colombo
� Workshop on stress/ time management: ‚How well do I manage myself?‛;
For the staff of a private firm, 2006
� Counselling skills in dealing with persons with reproductive problems;
Workshop for volunteer medical students on Reproductive Health and
Counselling, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, 2005; University
Grants Commission and UNFPA
� Counselling skills in dealing with persons with reproductive problems;
Workshop for service providers at youth centres on ‘helping individual
callers to the centres’, Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration,
Colombo, 2006; UNFPA
� Workshop on Preventing HIV/ AIDS amongst Drug Users at Galle Face
Hotel, Colombo, 2006; United Nation’s Office on Drugs and Crime in
collaboration with Mel Madura.
� Lecture on mental illness and its treatment for physicians of alternative
medicine at Embilipitiya, 2006; Ministry of Women Empowerment and Social
Welfare
� Basic principles of counselling; Tsunami Trauma Counselling Project -
Workshop for volunteer teachers at Embilipitiya, 2006; Japan Teachers’
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Association and Education International, and same at Minuwangoda, 2005,
and same at Moratuwa, 2005
� Motivational therapy for alcohol problems and introduction to CBT as a
mode of psychotherapy; In service training for doctors and nurses related to
alcohol management at two workshops in Colombo, 2004; Ministry of Health
� Radio programmes: ‚Sathsarani‛ and ‚Psychiatric Clinic‛. I provided
telephone advice on these live programmes where listeners posed their
queries. I tried to use this opportunity to educate public about mental illness
and to attempt to reduce stigma associated with them and the profession.
Experience in Psychotherapy:
Training in psychotherapy:
� Workshop on Advance Topics in Cognitive Behavioural Treatments of
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Conducted by Prof. Paul Salkovskis,
Professor of Clinical Psychology & Clinical Director of the Maudsley Hospital
Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma, Institute of Psychiatry, London.
Melbourne, Australia. 2007.
� Advanced Workshop on Narrative Therapy, conducted by Ron Findlay,
La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. At Harvester Clinic, Sunshine,
Victoria, Australia. Two day workshop in 2007.
� Management of Eating Disorders. At Barwon Psychiatric Services,
Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Conducted by Centre of Exellence In Eating
Disorders. Two-day workshop in 2007.
� Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Auditory Hallucinations. At Mental
Helath Research Institute (MHRI), Melbourne, Australia. Conducted by
Dr. John Farhall Phd MAPS, School of Psychological Science, La Trobe
University, and Dr. Neil Thomas DClinPsych MAPS, MHRI, Melbourne,
Australia. In 2007.
� Four-day intensive training in understanding and working with children,
adolescents and their families by Dr Alan Krohn, Clinical Psychologist
and Psychoanalyst, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at
the University of Michigan Medical School, Faculty Member of Michigan
Psychoanalytic Institute, Dr Harriet Calvert, Child and Adolescent
Psychotherapist, Berkshire Healthcare Trust, and Dr Shanthy
Parameswaran, Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Consultant in
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry with the Berkshire Healthcare Trust and
the Department of Paediatrics, Wexham Park Hospital, Berkshire. Held at
Samutthana, Colombo in 2006.
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� Two-day workshop on working with children affected by trauma by
Professor William Yule, Emeritus Professor of Applied Child Psychology,
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, University of London, and Mr.
Padmal de Silva, Hon Senior Lecturer at same institute, at Samutthana,
Colombo in April, 2006.
� Six-month teaching group of psychotherapy, facilitated by Dr. D R C
Hanwella MD (Psych) MRCPsych, Senior Lecturer, Department of
Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo in 2004/05.
� CBT for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) by Dr. S.J. Rachman, and
Dr. Padmal de Silva, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, at
Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists in
2003.
� Introduction to CBT in depression and PTSD. At University of Peradeniya,
Conducted by Dr. (Ms.) Quincy-Robyn Young, clinical psychologist, St.
Paul’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Canada in 2003.
Practical Experience in Psychotherapy:
As a senior lecturer and a consultant psychiatrist in the
university in Sri Lanka:
� I have joined the department of psychological medicine as a senior lecturer
with a special interest in psychotherapy and liaison psychiatry. I take patients
for psychotherapy, supervise junior doctors and other therapists in
psychotherapy, and co-facilitate a psychotherapy learning group for
postgraduate psychiatry trainees at University Psychiatry Unit at National
Hospital of Sri Lanka Colombo.
As a consultant psychiatrist in state health sector, Sri Lanka:
� I conducted a successful psychotherapy clinic once a week in General
Hospital, Ampara where patients received therapies like brief dynamic, sex
and habit reversal.
As a trainee in Sri Lanka:
� I managed one patient with brief dynamic psychotherapy under supervision
of Dr. D R C Hanwella MD (Psych) MRCPsych for six months.
� I have successfully concluded standard CBT treatment packages, 12 to 18 onehour,
weekly sessions, for six patients with depressive/ anxiety disorders,
comprehensive treatment package to a patient with posttraumatic disorder
(PTSD) and agoraphobia with panic, and family therapy in a family with an
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adolescent son who was having exhibitionism and fetishism, under
supervision.
� Hypnotherapy: Supervised by Dr. D V J Harischandra FRCPsych
� Treatment of Alcohol problems; experience in conducting groups, using CBT
and motivational interviewing
� Psychotherapy for patients presenting with medically unexplained somatic
symptoms. Supervised by Prof. D. Samarasinghe
� Various psychological therapies and emotional support was extended to the
people affected by the tsunami on Boxing Day, 2004, around my then
residence at a coastal town, Panadura, Sri Lanka.
Research and Publications:
Research review, supervision and evidence/ literature compilation:
1. Member of the abstract review committee of the Workshop on Evidence
based Practices in Mental Health at Primary Care Level organised by the
Ministry of Health and Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) in collaboration of
the European Union on 28 Feb 2011 in Colombo.
2. Co-chair for the plenary session of the Workshop on Evidence based
Practices in Mental Health at Primary Care Level organised by the Ministry of
Health and Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) in collaboration of the
European Union on 28 Feb 2011 in Colombo.
3. Reviewing evidence using internet for the compilation of a comprehensive
article on pharmacotherapy of bipolar disorder for the Sri Lanka Journal of
Psychiatry (please see below).
Current research:
1. Study on effectiveness of an educational intervention in changing attitudes
related to alcohol in medical students.
2. Validation of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Peradeniya
Depression Scale (PDS) in detecting depression in Sri Lanka.
Books:
Mahesh Rajasuriya; Rathiya Vidu Asin (Science of Human Sexuality); A book
intended for the lay public on sex, sexual health and reproductive health; In press.
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Peer-reviewed publications:
1. Mahesh Rajasuriya, Varuni de Silva, and Raveen Hanwella; Effectiveness of
reminders in reducing non-attendance among out-patients; The Psychiatrist;
2010; 34: 515-518.
2. Mahesh Rajasuriya, Varuni de Silva, Raveen Hanwella; Pharmacological
management of bipolar disorder; SL J Psychiatry; 2010; 1 (2): 32-38.
Published Abstracts:
1. 2011 SLCP abstracts x 3
2. Rajasuriya M; Survey on beliefs about alcohol-induced pleasure in medical
consultants in Ampara district; Annual Academic Sessions, Gal Oya Nimna
Clinical Society, Ampara, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka; October 2009
3. Rajasuriya M, Ariyasena R M et al; Study on satisfaction about services
received in inpatients about to be discharged from General Hospital, Ampara;
Annual Academic Sessions, Gal Oya Nimna Clinical Society, Ampara, Eastern
Province, Sri Lanka; October 2009
4. Rajasuriya M; Comparison of inpatient service utilisation before and after
rapid service development at mental health unit, Ampara; Annual Academic
Sessions, Gal Oya Nimna Clinical Society, Ampara, Eastern Province, Sri Lanka;
October 2009
5. Rajasuriya M, De Silva V; Risk factors for non-attendance at a psychiatric
outpatient clinic and effectiveness of a reminder package to improve reattendance;
Annual academic sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists;
February 2009
Awarded the prize for the best-paper among oral presentations.
6. Rajasuriya C M; An atypical intervention to improve psychosocial
functioning of a community in a southern coastal town of Sri Lanka in the
aftermath of the tsunami in 2004; Research Week 2007, Melbourne Health; June
2007
7. Rajasuriya C M, Hanwella D R C; Posttraumatic stress disorder: A patient
who did not respond to first line therapy; Annual academic sessions of the Sri
Lanka College of Psychiatrists in collaboration with World Psychiatric Association
section on Psychiatry in Developing Countries and South Asian Forum on Mental
Health and Psychiatry (International); February 2006
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8. Rajasuriya C M, Hanwella D R C; Descriptive study on patients who received
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the Colombo University Psychiatric Unit
in the years 1996, 2000 and 2004; Annual academic sessions of the Sri Lanka
College of Psychiatrists; June 2005
9. Rajasuriya C M, Hanwella D R C; Hyperelevated creatinine phosphokinase
(CPK) levels following antipsychotic administration: Report of four cases;
Annual academic sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists; June 2005
10. Rajasuriya C M, Arambepola S C A; Analysis of patients who had been
admitted to an acute inward psychiatric unit with a history of cannabis use;
Annual academic sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists; March 2004
Other Publications:
� Rajasuriya M; Need of a paradigm shift, e-letter response to Pharmaceutical
patents and the quality of mental healthcare in low- and middle-income
countries by Varuni De Silva and Raveen Hanwella; January 2009; Psychiatric
Bulletin
� Rajasuriya M; Can we stop the exploitation?, e-letter response to Exploitation
and apology by Iona Heath; May 2007; British Medical Journal
� Rajasuriya C M; Psychosocial interventions can promote mental health; Stress
Free Life For All, 2005; Ministry of Women Empowerment and Social Welfare
� Therapeutic activities: A guide on occupational therapy for patients with
mental illness; Colston H, Wijesundara S, 2005; Translated into Sinhala by
Rajasuriya C M
� Rajasuriya C M, Bandara J; Interventions to heal the minds of the people
affected by the Tsunami; 2005; Article on Sunday Lankadeepa; Wijaya
Publications
Unpublished Publications:
� Rajasuriya C M, Descriptive study of psychiatric outpatients attending a clinic
and assessment of an intervention to improve attendance at their immediate
follow-up visit; Approved by Board of Study in Psychiatry, Postgraduate
Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo in January 2009; Doctor of
Medicine (Psychiatry) Thesis
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Language Competency:
� Successful work experience in an English-speaking environment (Royal
Melbourne Hospital, Sunshine Hospital, Harvester Clinic in Melbourne,
Australia) from September 2006 up to August 2008 at.
� International English language Testing System (IELTS): Passed in May
2006 with an Overall Band Score of 8.0 in Academic Module.
� Fluent in Sinhala: Passes G.C.E. O/ L Examination with a distinction in
Sinhala and Literature.
� Followed an introductory course in Tamil Language at the Language
Centre, Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies, Colombo in 1998.
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