Activities featured a school-based brain health camp and art competition.
By Dr. Anomali Vidanagamage
Anomali Vidanagamage
World Brain Day 2025 in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, featured an innovative and impactful set of events that brought brain health awareness directly to the community — especially children and public sector professionals.
For the first time in Sri Lanka, a school-based brain health camp and art competition were conducted in conjunction with the Association of Sri Lankan Neurologists (ASN) and the World Federation of Neurology (WFN), making this year’s celebration both unique and historic.
A vibrant brain health awareness program was held July 16, 2025, at Dehigaslanda Maha Vidyalaya, a prominent national school in Hambantota. More than 300 students and schoolteachers participated in this engaging initiative. Neurology consultants and medical officers from District General Hospital Hambantota addressed four key topics relevant to children and youth:
- Stroke | Dr. Nadeesh Jayasinghe
- Brain Health and Lifestyle | Dr. Gihani Diwakara
- Epilepsy Awareness | Dr. Pradeep Chathuranga
- Understanding Disability | Dr. Anomali Vidanagamage
The program included a touching and educational drama performance, directed by the school’s drama teacher. The play portrayed the story of a child with epilepsy and demonstrated how peers and teachers can respond with care and compassion during a seizure. This performance delivered powerful health messages to a young audience in a culturally resonant format.
A colorful art competition with the theme of “Brain Health for All” attracted enthusiastic participation from students across three grade levels. Nine winners were selected, and their artwork will be showcased in future ASN campaigns promoting neurological well-being.
Building on this momentum, a second program was held July 23, 2025, at the Government Office Complex Auditorium, targeting public sector workers and administrators. This session was attended by 300 professionals and included lectures on:
- Stroke and Brain Health | Dr. Anomali Vidanagamage
- Mental Well-Being and Brain Rewiring | Dr. Navoda Harischandra, consultant psychiatrist
- Understanding Back Pain: A Neurological Perspective | Dr. Chulika Makavita, consultant neurologist at National Hospital of Sri Lanka
The Hambantota initiatives stand as a model for interprofessional collaboration, early education, and community outreach. These programs successfully delivered the core message of World Brain Day 2025: “Brain Health for All Ages.”
We are proud to have been part of this global movement and remain committed to expanding brain health awareness in the Southern Province and beyond. •
Anomali Vidanagamage is a consultant neurologist at the District General Hospital in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.
