College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
of Sri Lanka
History of the College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of Sri Lanka
The Evolution of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Sri Lanka
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a specialized discipline within dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis and surgical management of diseases, injuries, and deformities involving the mouth, jaws, face, and associated structures.
In Sri Lanka, to become an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, one must first obtain a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from a recognized university, followed by postgraduate training and qualifications recognized by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) and administered by the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM), University of Colombo.
Prior to the establishment of the PGIM, postgraduate medical education was overseen by the Institute of Postgraduate Medicine, founded in 1976 under the University of Ceylon Act No. 1 of 1972. Consequently, the earliest Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in Sri Lanka were foreign-trained, holding fellowships such as FDSRCS or FRCS from the United Kingdom.
Development of Local Postgraduate Training
The introduction of local postgraduate training marked a pivotal advancement in the specialty. The first locally trained Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons obtained the Master of Surgery in Dental Surgery (MS Dental Surgery) degree, with board certification beginning in 1987.
Subsequent curriculum revisions led to the MS in Oral Surgery in 1999, and the introduction of the MD in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 2010. The first cohort of MD-qualified surgeons was board-certified in 2016, aligning the program with global standards of training and clinical excellence.
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Formation of the Professional Association
Recognizing the need for a unified professional platform, the Sri Lanka Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (SLAOMS) was inaugurated on 2nd May 1999 at the Dental Institute, Colombo. The founding members were Prof. N. A. De S. Amaratunga, Dr. N. Manorathne, Dr. A. Ranasinghe, and Dr. N. Jayathilake.
Founding Office Bearers:
President: Prof. N. A. De S. Amaratunga
Secretary: Dr. N. Jayathilake
Treasurer: Dr. N. Manorathne
Editor: Dr. A. Ranasinghe
This marked the beginning of a professional forum dedicated to advancing Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Sri Lanka through education, research, collaboration, and clinical excellence.
Transition to the College
In 2020, reflecting its growing stature and institutional maturity, the Association was renamed as the College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of Sri Lanka (COMSSL).
This transition symbolized the evolution of the organization into a fully-fledged academic and professional body, aligned with international standards and committed to advancing the specialty through education, research, and leadership.
Today
The College stands as the apex professional body for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in Sri Lanka. It continues to:
- Promote academic advancement and postgraduate education
- Uphold ethical standards and clinical excellence
- Foster research and innovation
- Strengthen unity and collaboration among members
- Enhance patient care and public awareness of the specialty
Through these initiatives, the College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of Sri Lanka remains steadfast in its mission to elevate the standards of surgical practice and education, ensuring the continued growth and global recognition of the specialty within Sri Lanka.
College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of Sri Lanka
