As President of the College of Anaesthesiologists and Intensivists of Sri Lanka (COAISL), it is my privilege to welcome you to the 42nd Annual Academic Congress 2026, where we will explore new frontiers in anaesthesia, intensive care, pain medicine, and resuscitation science. Under the theme “Innovate, Collaborate, and Excel”, this congress will be a beacon for sharing knowledge, fostering partnerships, and advancing patient care. I sincerely thank the Organizing Committee for their tireless efforts in making this event possible. Let us seize this opportunity to learn, inspire, and chart a resilient future for our profession.

It is my immense pleasure to attend the COAISL 42nd Annual Academic Congress. I am hugely honoured to be the Chief Guest and to deliver a plenary lecture. We know that the delivery of healthcare is changing not just in the UK but globally. We need to acknowledge this and step up to the challenge. Rising demand for services from an ageing population with multiple complex diseases, insufficient workforce numbers to deliver care and a real need to improve patient outcomes in an environment of financial constraint is challenging. However, with challenge comes opportunity to think differently about how we deliver care across the whole perioperative pathway, and to utilize data and new technology to help us provide these innovative solutions.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 42nd Annual Academic Congress of the College of Anaesthesiologists and Intensivists of Sri Lanka . This year, we come together under the theme “Innovate, Collaborate and Excel,” reflecting the dynamic and advancing fields of anaesthesia, critical care, and pain medicine. Our aim is to bridge innovation with clinical practice through expert-led sessions and hands-on workshops, equipping our members for excellence in patient care. I sincerely thank our distinguished speakers who have travelled from near and far. To our delegates, your participation is the foundation of this congress. Let us learn, share, and grow together.

There is no doubt that perioperative medicine embraces the words innovate, collaborate, and excel for both anaesthesia and intensive care medicine. The primary innovation is to consider patient journeys not just as their time in the operating room, or even in hospital, but from when surgery is first contemplated through to optimum outcome. Collaboration is across medical specialties as well as nursing and allied health; but most importantly with patients and their families. By using this medically led, multidisciplinary, patient centric approach with shared decision making we hope to excel by reducing complications and improve quality of life for our surgical patients.

I am honoured to extend my warmest greetings on the occasion of the 42nd Annual Academic Congress 2026 of the College of Anaesthesiologists and Intensivists of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Resuscitation Council remains committed to its core mission of saving lives by promoting high-quality resuscitation through systematic training of healthcare professionals and the public. A significant milestone achieved in 2025 is the recognition as the National Resuscitation Council by European Resuscitation Council, which reflects our adherence to international standards. Looking ahead, our focus will be on expanding nationwide training programmes, advancing resuscitation research, and strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration to improve survival outcomes across Sri Lanka.

On behalf of the Faculty of Critical Care Medicine, I extend my warm congratulations to the President and the Council on the successful organization of the Annual Academic Congress 2026, of the College of Anaesthesiologists and Intensivists of Sri Lanka. The theme for this year, “Innovate, Collaborate and Excel”, aptly reflects the forward-thinking vision of the College and its commitment to advancing education, research, and clinical excellence. The academic sessions provide an invaluable platform for shared learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the promotion of innovation in patient care. In keeping with this theme, the Faculty of Critical Care Medicine looks forward to the year ahead with plans to conduct a range of educational activities and awareness programs aimed at strengthening critical care practice, fostering collaboration, and supporting the adoption of emerging best practices. We commend the President and the Council for their leadership and dedication, and we wish the Annual Academic Congress every success.

On behalf of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the College of Anaesthesiologists and Intensivists of Sri Lanka, I extend my warm congratulations to the organizers of the Academic Congress 2026. Guided by the theme “ Innovate, Collaborate, and Excel” this congress reflects our shared commitment to advancing medicine through innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and academic excellence. The Faculty of Pain Medicine remains dedicated to strengthening education, training and service development in pain management across the country. In the year ahead, we plan to expand academic activities, hands on training programs, and collaborative initiatives to further enhance standards of care and research in pain medicine. I wish the congress every success and trust it will inspire continued progress for the benefit of our patients and profession.