Dr. Manuja Perera, Editor of the Centre for Combatting Tobacco (CCT), and Dr. Akhila Nilaweera, Sub-Editor, represented CCT at the World Conference on Tobacco Control 2025, held in Dublin, Ireland.

Two abstracts showcasing key investigative research findings conducted by CCT were presented at the conference, highlighting the centre’s continued efforts in monitoring tobacco industry interference and advancing evidence based tobacco control in Sri Lanka. In recognition of Dr Manuja’s outstanding contributions to the field and as a member of the abstract review committee of the conference, she was awarded a scholarship to support her participation by the Vital Strategies. Dr. Akhila Nilaweera received his scholarship through his selection to the prestigious ASCEND programme, conducted by the Institute for Global Tobacco Control at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The World Conference on Tobacco Control is a premier global platform that brings together leading experts, policymakers, researchers, and advocates to exchange knowledge, share strategies, and strengthen collective action against the tobacco epidemic. Participation in this prestigious event has further enriched the capacity of the CCT team to contribute to national and global tobacco control efforts.