“Suwa Rasa Mihira” – A Platform to Celebrate Talent and Well-Being

Suwa Rasa Mihira is a quarterly programme organized to provide a creative and inclusive platform for staff members to showcase their talents, including singing, dancing, drama, handicrafts, and other artistic skills.

Designed as an evening of relaxation and positive engagement, the programme offers staff a refreshing break from the routine and demanding nature of hospital duties, promoting mental well-being, teamwork, and work–life balance.

This initiative is organized by the Quality Management Unit of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), with enthusiastic participation from all categories of staff, reflecting the unity, diversity, and vibrant spirit of the NIID hospital community

The hospital community came together on 1st January 2026 to mark the beginning of the New Year with the traditional Public Service Oath and a Pirith Chanting ceremony, invoking spiritual blessings for the year ahead.

On this occasion, excellence and dedication were also recognized. Awards were presented to the winners of the Audit Competition and Patient Safety Projects, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to improving quality, safety, and standards of care within the institution.

The commitment and professionalism demonstrated by our staff continue to strengthen our mission of delivering safe, high-quality healthcare. As we step into 2026, we look forward to working together towards a healthier nation

NIID Achievements at the 32nd Annual Scientific Sessions of the College of Medical Administrators of Sri Lanka

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) demonstrated its commitment to quality improvement, patient safety, and healthcare innovation at the 32nd Annual Scientific Sessions of the College of Medical Administrators of Sri Lanka.

NIID presented three scientific and quality improvement projects at the sessions. Of these, two projects received national-level recognition, highlighting the institute’s strong quality assurance and clinical governance practices.

• 1st Place – Best Poster Presentation
  “Clean Hands, Safe Beginnings: An Audit-Driven Initiative to Improve Hand Hygiene at NIID, Sri Lanka”
  Authors: Weerarathna D.G.K.M., Nawarathna P.W.N.H.K., Sandanayake A.P.
• 3rd Place – Innovation Projects
  “Foresee for Fever: Establishing a Continuous Care Coordinating Center for Acute Fever Patients at NIID”
  Authors: Perera M.H.M.T.S., Sandanayake A.P., Thanthrige R.A., Udugamakorala G.C., Gnanarathna B.A.C.L.
• Participation Certificate
  “From Clinic to Community: A Low-Cost, Integrated Approach to Childhood Obesity and NCD Prevention at NIID”
  Authors: Malwatte A., Sandanayake A.P., Senarathna Y.H.D., Perera W.I.B., Maduwanthi G.D.G., Pannilage R.A.

These achievements reflect NIID’s continuous efforts to strengthen quality assurance, patient safety, service innovation, and evidence-based healthcare delivery. The institute commends all contributors for their dedication and teamwork in advancing excellence in healthcare services

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases proudly inaugurated the ‘4C for Fever – Continuous Care Coordination Center’ on October 3rd, 2025, at 9.00 a.m., marking a transformative advancement in telemedicine and home-based fever management.

Generously supported by Sampath Bank, the facility was ceremonially opened by Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama and former Director Dr. Dinesh Koggalage. The new center is dedicated to providing patients with continuous medical guidance, remote monitoring, and coordinated care throughout their recovery journey.

This initiative reflects a progressive step toward integrating technology with compassionate healthcare, enhancing accessibility and continuity of patient care.

A sincere appreciation is extended to all partners and contributors whose vision and support made this milestone possible.

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases bid a heartfelt farewell to esteemed Matron, Madam Vajira Ranasinghe, who retired after years of dedicated and exemplary service.

Throughout her career, Matron Ranasinghe has been a pillar of strength, providing compassionate leadership and unwavering commitment to patient care and nursing excellence. Her guidance and support have inspired countless nursing professionals and contributed immensely to the advancement of nursing services at NIID.

A special farewell ceremony was held on 2025/10/14 to honor her remarkable contributions, reflecting the deep respect, love, and gratitude of the entire NIID family.

As she steps into her well-deserved retirement, we extend our warmest wishes for continued happiness, good health, and fulfillment in the years ahead.

Madam Vajira Ranasinghe will always remain a cherished member of the NIID family.

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases held the Audit Poster Presentation Competition 2025 on October 3rd, 2025, in conjunction with International Patient Safety Day. The event aimed to strengthen the culture of quality improvement and clinical excellence through audit-based learning.

Participants from multiple departments showcased audit projects focusing on patient safety, clinical effectiveness, and healthcare quality improvement. The presentations reflected the institute’s dedication to enhancing evidence-based practice and patient outcomes.

A panel of expert judges evaluated the posters for methodology, innovation, and impact, providing constructive feedback to guide future initiatives.

Winners will be announced on January 1st, 2026.
The institute remains committed to promoting clinical audits and quality improvement as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure patient safety and high-quality care.

The November ERC meeting at NIID is scheduled for 2nd of January 2026. Researchers seeking ethical review of their proposals are kindly requested to submit their documents no later than 28th December 2025. Please note that any proposals received after this date will not be considered at the November meeting and will automatically be deferred to the subsequent month’s ERC meeting. Timely submission ensures your research receives due consideration and facilitates a smooth review process.

Special Note: The Principal Investigator must be affiliated with the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), or at least one Co-Investigator should hold such an affiliation. Additionally, the NIID Ethical Review Committee (ERC) should be the nearest ERC to the study site. Proposals not meeting these criteria will not be accepted by the NIID-ERC

The retirement ceremony of Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, a Consultant Physician who has served at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases for over twenty years, was a momentous occasion. Dr. Wijewickrama joined our hospital in 2003 and has made significant contributions to both the advancement of the hospital and the care of patients. He has successfully treated thousands of patients and played a key role in initiating and conducting training programs on dengue disease management for healthcare workers across Sri Lanka in collaboration with the National Dengue Control Unit.

Dr. Wijewickrama also took the initial steps to provide auditorium facilities for training programs and to establish the National Institute of Infectious Diseases as a collaborative training center with the World Health Organization.

This grand retirement ceremony was held on January 25, 2025, under the theme “A Legacy of a Legend,” and was attended by all hospital staff, officials from the Ministry of Health, and representatives from affiliated institutions.

A week-long training program on managing dengue disease for Bangladeshi doctors and nurses took place in July 2024. This event was organized by the National Dengue Control Unit, the Sri Lanka Medical Council, and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, in collaboration with the World Health Organization.

The workshop featured interactive sessions focused on dengue management, observations of disease management units, and case discussions. Skilled doctors from the National Dengue Control Unit, along with the director of the NIID and other medical staff, including consultants and special grade nursing officers, conducted the training. This program equipped participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively manage dengue cases.

The two-story lounge for specialists and doctors, addressing a previous shortcoming at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, was completed and officially opened on November 7, 2024, thanks to the generous donation from Venerable Nakulugamuwe Sumana Thero. This fully equipped building, located adjacent to Ward No. 2, also includes restrooms for all employees on duty in that ward.

A musical evening was held on December 19, 2024, in conjunction with the Christmas Day celebration, featuring Brother Charles Thomas. This event, organized by the Hospital Quality Management Unit, aimed to provide hospital staff members with a chance to break away from their routine and refresh their minds. Brother Charles Thomas and his team conducted this program as a part of their social service efforts at the hospital.