iRuFARS 2026

The 4th International Research Symposium, organized by the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, was successfully held on 20th and 21st August 2026 at the Walahanduwa Faculty premises under the theme “Advancing Health Equity through Research and Innovation”. The symposium provided a valuable platform for researchers, academics, and healthcare professionals to share knowledge, disseminate research findings, and explore emerging innovations in healthcare.

Pre-congress workshop

The symposium commenced with a pre-congress workshop held on 20th August 2026, accredited with six Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points and attracted more than 100 participants.

The programme focused on three key themes addressing contemporary challenges in healthcare: gaps in health equity, building capacity for active ageing, and the new era of patient care. A total of ten resource persons, namely Prof. Hiran Amarasekara, Prof. Mahati Chittem, Dr. Amila Chandrasiri, Dr. BI Wickramarachchi, Dr. Sithira Senevirathne, Dr. Asha Wettasinghe and Dr. KRM Chandrathilake, Prof. Samadhi Rajapaksa. Kalpani Abhayasinghe, Dr. Buddhika Ariyarathne, and Dr. Sunil Abeyaratne shared their expertise and perspectives, providing participants with valuable insights into current issues and innovative approaches to improving health outcomes and equity. The workshop created an interactive environment for knowledge exchange and highlighted the importance of research and innovation in addressing emerging healthcare needs.

Main symposium

The main symposium was held on 21st August 2026 and featured three distinguished keynote speakers who shared their expertise and perspectives on contemporary issues in health and allied health sciences. The event was graced by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, Senior Professor P. A. Jayantha, as the Chief Guest.

The keynote addresses were delivered by Prof. Mahati Chittem Professor of Health & Medical Psychology, Department of Liberal Arts, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, India; Prof. Beate-Christin Hope Kolltveit Associate Professor, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway and Prof. Rohan D. Jeremiah University of Illinois Chicago, USA. who provided valuable insights into current developments and future directions in healthcare, research, and allied health sciences. The symposium also celebrated research excellence among academic staff

Awards for excellence in Research Publications were presented to Professor HH Pieris, Professor RHMPN Rathnayake, Dr. HWAS Subasinghe, Ms. SMEB Weeratunga, Dr. SMTD Sundarapperuma, Dr. AMSS Amarasiri, Ms. Vindya Pathiraja, Dr. PWD Wasana, Dr. NDD Silva, Dr. AADS Amarasinghe, Dr. UGS Janeesha, and Ms. KJMD Tharanga, recognizing their valuable contributions to research and academic excellence.

As a significant milestone in the history of iRuFARS, Dr. Thamudi Darshi Sundarapperuma, Orator of iRuFARS 2026, delivered the inaugural iRuFARS Oration on the theme, “Shaping the Future: Effect of Lifestyle Interventions on Diabetes Risk in Postpartum Women with Gestational Diabetes.” The inaugural oration marked a significant addition to iRuFARS, providing a distinguished platform for sharing evidence-based insights and highlighting the importance of innovative research in addressing emerging health challenges.

Around 84 abstracts presented at the symposium as oral and poster presentations by local and international researchers. A key highlight of the symposium was the enthusiastic participation of young researchers, who presented and disseminated their research findings across the disciplines of Public Health and Health Promotion, Nursing and Midwifery, Medical Laboratory Sciences, and Pharmacy. The presentations provided an important platform for emerging researchers to communicate their findings, exchange ideas, engage with experts, and establish professional networks.

Ten authors were awarded for their excellence in research in the technical sessions.

🏆 WINNER — Public Health Oral

Psychological Distress and Depression among Older Adults Living Alone in the Galle District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Kandambi A.R.C., Chathurangi D.K.D., Gunasekara T.M.D.S.S., Rathnayake N. Presenting Author: Kandambi A.R.C.

Nutritional Status and Its Determinants Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Jeewaanandham Y., Rajapaksha W.H.S., Ekanayake E.M.U.P.B., Chandrasekara G.A.P. Presenting Author: Jeewaanandham Y.

🏆 WINNER — Public Health Poster

Nutritional Status among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in the Galle District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Kandambi A.R.C., Chathurangi D.K.D., Gunasekara T.M.D.S.S., Rathnayake N. Presenting Author: Gunasekara T.M.D.S.S.

The Caregiver Perceived Competence and Associated Factors among the Informal Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Disabilities in Gampaha District
Authors: Kannangara W., Rathnayake N. Presenting Author: Kannangara W.

🏆 WINNER — Nursing & Midwifery Oral

Individual and Interpersonal Barriers to Access Reproductive Health Care Services for Teenage Mothers in Galle District
Authors: Lakjaya R.P.B., Gayathri J.A.O., Wanigathunga D.M.I., Dias M.P.H.K., Perera B. Presenting Author: Gayathri J.A.O.

🏆 WINNER — Nursing & Midwifery Poster

Factors Associated with Post-Stroke Quality of Life among Stroke Survivors Attending Follow-Up Clinics at the National Hospital, Galle
Authors: Randeniya K.K.L.I., Sulochana G.P.K., Vathsala B.V.V., Kariyawasam G.P.N., Dias M.P.H.K. Presenting Author: Randeniya K.K.L.I.

🏆 WINNER — Medical Laboratory Sciences Oral

Association of Systemic Immune Inflammation Index with Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients Attending to Medical Clinic at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sri Lanka
Authors: Senaratne G.K.M., Mendis H.R.H., Ahmad A.R.A., Wijesekara G.U.S., Matthias A.T. Presenting Author: Senaratne G.K.M.

🏆 WINNER — Medical Laboratory Sciences Poster

Antimicrobial Activity of Marine Bacterial Isolates Isolated from Coastal Seawater in Puttalam District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Senarathna S.P.P.K., Tennakoon T.M.I.U.K., Jagoda S.S.S.de S. Presenting Author: Senarathna S.P.P.K.

🏆 WINNER — Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Oral

A Novel Multifunctional Curcumin-Modified Silver Nanoparticle Nanocoating for Foley Catheters: Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm, Cytotoxic, and Antioxidant Performance
Authors: Nissanka N.M.C., Dilhari K.A.A., Priyadarshana G., Munasinghe J.A., Dilshani M., Weerasekera M.M. Presenting Author: Nissanka N.M.C.

🏆 WINNER — Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Poster

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Madhuca var. Longifolia (J.Koenig ex L.) J.F.Macbr. and Garcinia mangostana L. Extracts: Insights into Their Combined Effects
Authors: Kavinda U.G., Hapuarchchi S.D. Presenting Author: Kavinda U.G.

The active participation and achievements of young researchers reflected the growing culture of research and innovation within the faculty. The symposium provided a valuable opportunity for researchers at different stages of their careers to disseminate scientific evidence, exchange knowledge, explore collaborative opportunities, and strengthen professional connections.

The 4th International Research Symposium, organized by the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences under the leadership of Prof. R.H.M.P.N. Rathnayake, Chairperson, and supported by the three Joint Secretaries, Dr. Dhanushka De Silva, Dr. Shashini Janeesha, and Ms. Erandima Sandamali, together with the dedicated contribution of the entire academic and non-academic staff, served not only as a platform for showcasing research excellence but also as a vibrant forum for collaboration, innovation, knowledge exchange, and professional development. The symposium provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen research partnerships, foster interdisciplinary engagement, and share knowledge and innovations, thereby contributing significantly to the advancement of health and allied health sciences.