Wijeratne
Thank you sincerely for the trust you placed in me as an elected trustee of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN). It has been an honor to serve our global neurology family, united by one shared vision — better brain health for all.
Today, I humbly seek your support once again — this time as a candidate for first vice president.
This is a defining moment. One in three people lives with a brain disorder. Behind each number is a person, a family, a community. I have witnessed this burden firsthand growing up in rural Sri Lanka, and now working in western Melbourne’s richly diverse communities, where over 165 languages are spoken.
Diversity at its best demands leadership that is inclusive, bold, and human.
If elected, I will bring energy, compassion, and clear action to translate global strategies into local impact. We must lift education, equity, and research, especially in underserved regions. I will work with member societies, support emerging leaders, and build lasting partnerships to advance our mission.
As co-chair of World Brain Day, I’ve seen the power of collective action. I have trained over 450 physician trainees and 60 neurologists across three continents, mentored 42 PhD candidates, and currently supervise 12 PhD students. My clinical work has focused on stroke, migraine, and headache — some of the world’s most disabling conditions.
I have authored over 300 peer-reviewed papers, with an h-index of 86 and over 136,000 citations. I remain a full-time clinician, just as you, while voluntarily contributing to education across disciplines.
But I am not driven by numbers. I am driven by people.
WFN needs leadership that listens, unites, and delivers. I am ready to serve in that spirit. •
