Surgeon Commodore Nandani Wijedoru inducted as President of SLCOMM

A ceremony to induct Surgeon Commodore Nandani Wijedoru as the seventh (07th) President of Sri Lanka College of Military Medicine (SLCOMM) was held at the Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake Auditorium, Navy Headquarters on 24th March 2023. The ceremony was graced by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera as the Chief Guest.

Air Commodore Niluka Abeysekara, who was previously the President of SLCOMM, gave the welcome remarks of the ceremony. Meanwhile, the Guest of Honour of the evening was Professor Dileep De Silva of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya who also delivered the keynote speech. During his speech he pointed out that the future increase in the representation of women in the medical and dental faculties would also increase the representation of women in the health sector, and that attention should be paid to the issues of personnel management from now on.

In addition to the appointment as the President of SLCOMM, Surgeon Commodore Nandani Wijedoru also holds office as Director Naval Dental Services.

Addressing the gathering, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera at the outset expressed that he was honoured to be invited as the Chief Guest of the occasion. He also appreciated the contribution made by the military medical services during the humanitarian operation as well as major calamities in the country. Further, Commander of the Navy heaped praise on SLCOMM which endeavours to establish a Paramedic College affiliated to the Kotelawala Defence University and appreciated the contribution made by SLCOMM for the professionalism of the military medical services by sharing knowledge and experience. Recalling his tenure as the Officer in Charge of the Diving Unit, Commander of the Navy mentioned that he was able to save a number of lives, playing the role of a diving medical technician and a therapist. Therefore, he drew the attention of SLCOMM towards training on hyperbaric medicine. Expressing that the Navy had been able to produce 02 Presidents for SLCOMM, Commander of the Navy congratulated Surgeon Commodore Nandani Wijedoru for being inducted as the 07th President of SLCOMM.

Addressing the gathering Surgeon Commodore Nandani Wijedoru paid her gratitude for the trust and confidence bestowed upon her to lead SLCOMM in the upcoming year. Adding further, she said that Military Health Services are the 3rd largest healthcare provider in Sri Lanka. She also went on to say that SLCOMM was established in 2016 with the participation of a large number of military medical and dental officers. Since SLCOMM works together with national and international medical associations and organizations, a good opportunity has been created to improve new knowledge and skills, she opined. The new President of SLCOMM also said that she will devote herself to the achievement of the objectives of the organization by providing the necessary leadership and guidance in the upcoming year. She further said that she will devote herself to the achievement of the objectives of the Sri Lanka Army Medical College by providing the necessary leadership and guidance for the next one year.

Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksha, Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva, tri-service officers, retired tri-service officers of SLCOMM, officials from the Ministry of Health and tri-service dental officers were also present on this occasion.