College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka

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College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka

The College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka is the only professional body of ophthalmologists in Sri Lanka Dr.W.H.D. Ferdinands was the founder president.

History of the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka
The Ophthalmological Society of Ceylon was formed by a group of interested clinicians who met at the Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital on the 1st December 1957 and is the second oldest specialist association in the country. The first annual congress of the society was held in September 1958 at the Medical Research Institute, Colombo. In keeping with increasing academic demands of the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) and the advancement of ophthalmic care in the country, the need for the formation of a College was felt. In 1989-90 the Constitution of the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka (COSL) was formulated by a sub-committee headed by Dr.C.A.B. Makuloluwa. The committee comprised of Dr. P.A. Weerasinghe, Dr. Upali Mendis, Dr. M.H.S. Cassim, Dr.Champa Banagala and Dr. B. Stephen.In 1992 Dr. P. Sivasubramaniam was inducted as the Founder President of the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka by the President of the Ophthalmological Society of Ceylon, Dr. B. Stephen. The College Mace and the Logo was designed and accepted by the College in 1992. The statement in the Logo is ‘Let there be light’ in Latin (Jrraadialur Caligo). Journal of the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka was initiated with the formation of the College and printing of the Journal ‘Transactions of Ophthalmology’ by the Ophthalmology Society ceased and the first edition of the Journal of the COSL was published in1993.From 2001 the publication of the journal was done annually in two volumes. it is Clinically oriented, designed to keep ophthalmologists up to date. It contains peer reviewed articles, current research, case presentations and clinical challenges. Following the passing away of the founder president in December 2002, Dr. Champa Banagala, President 2003 and Dr.B.Stephens was instrumental in initiating the Dr.P. Sivasubramanium Oration. The first oration was delivered on 3rd December 2003. The College holds it's Scientific sessions annually under the supervision of the elected president and the council. The College also successfully conducted the VIIth, VIIIth and XIth SAARC Ophthalmology Congress in conjunction with the Annual Scientific Sessions. Under Dr.C.D. Jayaweera Bandara’s presidency the college office was opened on 20th June 1999 in the Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital (currently National Eye Hospital Colombo)
The college has always been actively involved with the Board of study in Ophthalmology of the PGIM regarding the training of post-graduate trainees in Ophthalmology. The council of the college elects members to represent it at the Board of study and encourages consultants of Teaching Hospitals to teach, train and evaluate trainees. The college actively encourages continuous professional development (CPD) programmes. The college participates in making policy decisions at regional and national level by acting as a advisory body to the Ministry of Health by highlighting shortcomings in patient care and training inadequacies. To function well in this capacity the council actively interacts with other International and Local Colleges and Societies. Reaching out to the public, the college calendar is filled with activities to educate regarding common eye conditions and promotes screening programmes. Print and electronic media is used extensively for this purpose. With its partner, The Ministry of Health, the college carries out the functions of Vision2020 in Sri Lanka. Vision2020 is a global initiative to eliminate preventable blindness by the year 2020.

12/03/2026

The College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka did it once again thanks to the generous spirit of its dedicated members and the support staff. The free Cataract surgery camp organised under its Gift of Vision humanitarian initiative took place at Base Hospital (Teaching), Gampola, on the 28th of February and 01st of March. A total of 558 cataract surgeries were done during these two days, with the help of Consultant Eye Surgeons from many areas of the country and support staff, from National Eye Hospital, National Hospital - Kandy, General Hospital - Ampara, Police Hospital - Kundasale and General Hospital - Hambanthota, all of whom volunteered their services. Our gratitude goes to the staff of Base Hospital, Gampola and to the generous donors, Eye Donation Society of Sri Lanka.

09/03/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 2026 | 𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐋

⚠ 𝘌𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘋𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 – 𝘎𝘦𝘵 𝘛𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘢 𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺...

Don't let this silent thief of vision go unnoticed. A simple eye test can help protect your sight and prevent irreversible damage. Take action now to preserve your vision for the future !

09/03/2026

Save the Date: March 8–14, 2026 ⏰📆

World Glaucoma Week returns in March 2026 - a global initiative to raise awareness of one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness.

Each year, eye care professionals, advocates, and organizations around the world come together to promote early detection and equitable access to care.

Now’s the time to mark your calendar and start planning how you will take part.

🔔 Campaign themes, toolkits, and ideas launching soon
🌍 Visit worldglaucomaweek.org for early updates
📲 Share your event ideas using

09/02/2026

The 'Gift of Vision' humanitarian initiative of the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka reached yet another mile stone last weekend by giving sight to 500 patients suffering from cataract at Teaching Hospital, Badulla.
The College is grateful to the Consultant Eye Surgeons, Medical Officers, Nursing Staff, Technical Staff and Ophthalmic Technologists and support staff of Teaching Hospital, Badulla, of National Eye Hospital and of Base Hospital, Mahiyangahaya who volunteered their expertise at this free cataract surgery camp.
A big note of thanks to the generous donors, HelpAge Sri Lanka and Mr. Kundanmal who made it possible.
Thank you very much to Dr. Anil Jasighe, Secretary, Ministry of Health, and all the senior officials of the Ministry of Health and to Dr. Himali Wijegunasekara, Director, Teaching Hospital, Badulla for their support.

$The Collaborate 2025 Meeting on Cataract and Refractive Surgery was successfully held on the 16th of December 2025 at th...$

23/12/2025

The Collaborate 2025 Meeting on Cataract and Refractive Surgery was successfully held on the 16th of December 2025 at the Lotus Ballroom, Hotel Shangri-La, Colombo.
This prestigious scientific event was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (BCSRS), the Sri Lanka Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (SLSCRS), and the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka (COSL) and brought together experts from both countries who shared their experiences, knowledge and insights.

08/12/2025

Cyclone DITWAH has caused significant disruption to healthcare services across the country and has created conditions that may lead to increased ocular morbidity. As a responsible healthcare professional organization in Sri Lanka, we are deeply concerned about the impact of this disaster on our people.

These posters have been developed in collaboration with the Health Promotion Bureau to support and promote eye care within our communities during this challenging time.

20/11/2025

The Free Cataract Surgical Camp organised under the ‘Gift of Vision’ initiative of the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka concluded successfully on the 15th and 16th of November.

This camp was conducted at Base Hospital, Mahiyanganaya, benefiting a total of 500 patients.

The College extends its sincere appreciation to HelpAge Sri Lanka for their generous sponsorship of this project. The College also wishes to acknowledge the dedication and commendable efforts of the staff of the hospital as well as of the volunteer staff of NEH and TH Badulla for their invaluable support.

13/11/2025

The College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka, together with the Association of Vitreo Retina Specialists of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the National Eye Hospital, organized a press conference on 12th November 2025 at the Auditorium of the Health Promotion Bureau. It was held to commemorate World Diabetes Day 2025 and to raise awareness on Diabetic Retinopathy - a leading cause of blindness among people with diabetes.

The program emphasized the importance of regular screening, early detection, and effective management of diabetic retinopathy to safeguard and preserve vision in diabetic patients.

13/11/2025

World Diabetes Day 2025
𝘌𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘋𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵

11/11/2025

Today, as we commemorate the World Keratoconus Day for the first time in our country, we take an inspiring step towards clearer vision-both literally and figuratively. Keratoconus may be a silent condition, but together, we can give it a strong voice. By raising awareness, promoting early detection, and supporting access to advanced treatments, we empower individuals to protect and preserve their sight.

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped window at the front of the eye responsible for focusing light. Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea progressively thins and bulges outward into a cone shape, disrupting the normal focus of light rays. This results in blurred and distorted vision, often making everyday activities more difficult.

Let this day remind us that vision is not just about seeing the world-it’s about living fully within it. Together, let’s bring focus to every life affected by Keratoconus and ensure that no one faces blurred vision in silence.

25/10/2025

▲ It is with deep sorrow that we announce the untimely passing of Dr. Ranmini Seneviratne, who served the College with great dedication as a Council Member, Secretary, and President. ▲

At the time of her demise, she was serving as Consultant Eye Surgeon at Base Hospital, Panadura.

A true leader, during her tenure as President (2020–2021), she guided the College to new heights despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even amidst illness, she remained committed to the College and contributed to the organization of the Annual Academic Sessions in September.
She will be remembered for her forthrightness, compassion, and kindness.

Our heartfelt condolences are extended to her beloved husband, Dr. Shantha de Silva, and son, Vidath.

🙏May she attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana...🙏

10/10/2025

World Sight Day 2025 was commemorated in style at the National Eye Hospital, Colombo, and at eye units all over the country. This year, World Sight Day was held on 9th October 2025 under the theme “Love your Eyes,” aiming to minimize preventable blindness. This was highlighted at the media conference well attended by personnel from many media institutions. A total of 100 cataract surgeries were also performed simultaneously with the assistant of Manusath Derana and the Sri Lanka American Association of Southern California, symbolizing start of many similar programmes.

Dialog Axiata PLC stepped in with a programme to provide free spectacles for school children of Western province and estate sectors. At the expense of 7.5 million rupees.

Address

National Eye Hospital, Deans Road
Colombo
01000

Website

http://www.cosl.lk/

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