Expertise in: Global Health Systems

Dr Palitha Abeykoon serves as a Member of the Global Pandemic Monitoring Board (GPMB) of the W.H.O and World Bank. He was the Special Envoy of the W.H.O Director General for Covid-19 for the Southeast Asia Region. He is also an Advisor to the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, and the W.H.O.

He had his education in the Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya, post graduate education from the University of Southern California and Harvard University. Dr Abeykoon served for over two decades in the W.H.O, with his final posting as the Director of Health Systems.

Dr Abeykoon has previously served as the President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, Chair of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, receiving the WHO Director General’s Medal for Tobacco Control. He was has also served as President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council and Head of the SLMC’s Accreditation Unit.

In recognition of his services he was awarded the Fred Katz Gold Medal by the ANZAME, Distinguished Alumni Award of University of Peradeniya and the Lifetime Award from WONCA.

Dr Abeykoon holds Fellowships from many of Professional Colleges in Sri Lanka.

He is published widely in international journals, and has delivered numerous invited learned orations.