01/04/2026
๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ ๐ซ๐. ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
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We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Gambeera Harischandra, an eminent psychiatrist, visionary leader, and a pioneer in the development of modern mental health services in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Harischandra obtained his MBBS from the University of Peradeniya and his MD in Psychiatry from the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo. He further advanced his training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia. He served with distinction as a Consultant Psychiatrist at Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura and later at the National Institute of Mental Health from 2003 to 2016.
A close associate of Dr. Jayan Mendis, Dr. Harischandra played a pivotal role in the transformation of the former Mental Hospital into the National Institute of Mental Health. His pioneering contributions led to the establishment of community mental health services, the introduction of structured and scientific rehabilitation practices, the initiation of day ECT services, and the development of day care centers incorporating psychological therapies.
He was a highly respected postgraduate trainer and served as Chairman of the Board of Study in Psychiatry, University of Colombo, from 2011 to 2015. His leadership and commitment greatly strengthened postgraduate psychiatric training in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Harischandra was the Founder Secretary of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists and later served as its President from 2007 to 2009. He also held the position of President of the SAARC Psychiatric Federation and was a key contributor to mental health policy development during this period.
Earlier in his career, he was actively involved in the Government Medical Officersโ Association, serving as Secretary and Treasurer, and later became the Founder Secretary of the Association of Medical Specialists. Even following his retirement, he remained dedicated to education and contributed meaningfully to initiatives aimed at advancing the education sector.
Dr. Harischandra will be remembered as an outstanding clinician, a devoted teacher, and an inspiring leader whose contributions have left an enduring legacy in the field of mental health in Sri Lanka and beyond.
๐๐๐ฒ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ง๐.
โ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐๐พ๐๐๐ถ๐ ๐ผ๐๐๐๐พ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ป ๐๐๐๐๐ถ๐ ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฝ
