A Prestigious Position in Sri Lanka’s Dental History
The College being the umbrella organisation of all the specialties in dentistry in Sri Lanka holds a prestigious position in the history of dentistry and postgraduate dental education of the country. Prior to the 1970s the postgraduate education in Sri Lanka was shepherded by foreign, mainly UK based examinations. However, with the ban of holding foreign examinations in Sri Lanka and later the enactment of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine Act 1979 expedited the development of postgraduate education of both medicine and dentistry in Sri Lanka.
With the establishment of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) affiliated to the University of Colombo and the development of the Board of Study in Dental Surgery, the need for a professional body of experts arose. The college was recognized in 1980 to appoint members to the board of study in dental surgery and has been an unswerving force in postgraduate education since.
Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara, an eminent scholar in Sri Lanka, was the founding president. The college has a proud line of presidents who have not only served in the country but have also brought prestige to the country through their activities all over the world. Having a proud heritage serving the country by being a driving force in continued professional development in dentistry and postgraduate dental education, the college has evolved throughout the years to stand tall as the umbrella organisation of all the specialties in dentistry in Sri Lanka.