The CCT successfully conducted a Research Symposium and a press conference jointly organised with the Young Professionals’ Alliance for Health (YouPAH) at the Jetwing Seven, Colombo on 8th June 2026. This event was aimed to commemorate the World No Tobacco Day 2026.

Dr. Pujitha Wickramasinghe, the Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, welcomed the gathering. Dr. Akhila Nilaweera briefly explained the aims, scope and outcomes of the short course on ‘Investigative Research on Tobacco Industry Interference in Public Health Policies and Actions’. Thirty participants were awarded the certificate of completion of the short course. Nine participants who completed phase II of the short course were presented their investigative findings during the research symposium. Following the research presentations, Dr. Diyanath Samarasinghe delivered the keynote speech and Dr. Rajesh Pandav, the WHO representative for Sri Lanka, spoke to the gathering.

The press conference was on the latest findings of the research work done by CCT on tobacco industry interference (TII) in matters related to prohibited tobacco products (PTP) and tobacco taxation. CCT team presented their latest research findings in two rounds of panel discussions. CCT research team, led by Dr Mahesh Rajasuriya, included Dr. Manuja Perera, Dr Akhila Nilaweera, Mr. P. Dineshkumar, Dr Buddhi Asantha, Ms. Sandani Abeyrathne and Ms. Chinthika Perera. After the panel discussions, a special presentation was done by Mr. Sampath De Seram, Executive Director of ADIC Sri Lanka.

The press briefing concluded with a friutful panel discussion  conducted by Dr. Anula Wijesundara – Chairperson, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) Expert Committee on Tobacco, Alcohol and Illicit Drugs; Dr. Nilantha Rathnayake – Convenor, Smokeless Tobacco Technical Subcommittee, National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA); Dr Mahesh Rajasuriya – Lead, Centre for Combating Tobacco ; Dr. Manuja Perera – Editor, Centre for Combating Tobacco; Mr. Sampath de Seram – Executive Director, ADIC Sri Lanka  and Dr. Asiri Karunanayake – Director, Young Professionals’ Alliance for Health (YouPAH).

The press conference was attended by over 80 media persons from a diverse range of media platforms.