Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake
Vice Chancellor
Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake (MBBS (Col.), CTHE (Col.), DMedEd (Dundee), MMedEd (Dundee), FCGP (Hon., SL), FHEA (UK), FCME (SL), FRCP (Edin.). Professor Indika Karunathilake is a proud alumnus of the University of Colombo, who joined the academic staff in 2000, 25 years ago. With academic roots in both the University of Colombo and the University of Dundee (UK), he also holds senior fellowships from the UK Higher Education Academy and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Professor Karunathilake is the first Professor of Medical Education at the University of Colombo and has been a transformative figure in the Sri Lankan higher education sector. At the time of his appointment as Vice Chancellor, he was the Head of the Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo. In his capacity as a Medical Educationist, Professor Indika Karunathilake has made significant contributions towards curriculum development, curriculum evaluation, staff development and introduction of new courses for all the Faculties of Medicine in Sri Lanka.
Professor Indika Karunathilake has conducted extensive research and authored over 100 publications in peer-reviewed international journals and over 150 research presentations at international and national levels. He holds a H index of 19 and over 1700 citations and is a recipient of the President’s Award for Scientific Publications. Professor Karunathilake has held several leadership positions in the National Medical Association, SLMA, as Assistant Secretary from 2005 to 2007, Secretary in 2008 and 2010, Vice President in 2014 and the President during the most challenging year of 2020. He played a pivotal role during the nation’s battle against COVID 19. He held the position of Vice President
of the Organisation of Professional Associations (OPA) in 2021, 2023, and Editor in 2022. Professor Karunathilake is the founder President of the College of Medical Educationists and the head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo.
His leadership extends across numerous global institutions including the World Health Organization (WHO), Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH), Asia Pacific Action Alliance on Human Resources (AAAH), World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the Southeast Asian Regional Association of Medical Education (SEARAME). He also serves as the editor-in-chief of the South East Asian Journal of Medical Education (SEAJME). Professor Karunathilake has had a longstanding and impactful role in the Asia-pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health. Elected unanimously as Secretary-General in 2021, he became the first Sri Lankan to serve in this prestigious capacity.