Establishment of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Think Tank for Prevention & Rehabilitation

The inaugural session of the Bureau of Rehabilitation “Think Tank for Prevention & Rehabilitation” was held on 12 May 2026 at the Bureau of Rehabilitation Auditorium under the patronage of the Chairperson of the Board of Management of the Bureau of Rehabilitation.

The Think Tank was established with the objective of further developing and modernizing the rehabilitation processes currently implemented by the Bureau of Rehabilitation through a more systematic and scientific approach, with the contribution of subject experts from relevant fields.

The inaugural session was attended by Senior Professor Wasantha Subasinghe, Chairperson of the Board of Management of the Bureau of Rehabilitation; Brigadier M.S. Amith, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation; Brigadier Prasanna Priyalal, Commissioner (Rehabilitation); Senior Lecturer Dr Ruwan Liyanage of the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine; Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Roomi Ruben; Head of Department Dr. Harini de Soysa of the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine; Senior Lecturer Oshadi Windhya Herath of the University of Kelaniya; Senior Counseling  Officer Gamini Rathnayake of the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment  Senior Lecturer Dr Suranga Lakmal Wewalwala of the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine; Psychotherapist Dr Chaminda Weerasiriwardena; Senior Lecturer R.M.G.K. Karunaratne of the Department of Philosophy, University of Kelaniya; Assistant Counselling Officer Mr Dhanushka Sampath Wijesinghe of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board; and Counselling Officer Mr Sarath Amarabandhu of the Bureau of Rehabilitation.

During the session, the participating academics and professionals shared their views regarding the future direction and functioning of the Think Tank. Discussions focused on the importance of implementing a more accurate and scientific rehabilitation process in line with international standards.