Standing (left to right) Dr. Thushan Gooneratne, Dr. S. Mathievaanan, Dr. B Sashiharan, Dr. Sachith Abeywickrama, Dr. Prageeth Lambiyas, Dr. Thilina Gunawardena, Dr. Malaka Amarasinghe, Dr. Aruna Weerasooriya, Dr. Buddhima Jayawickrama, Dr. Gayan Bandara   
Seated (left to right) Dr. Joel Arudchelvam, Dr. Amanthana Marasinghe, Dr. Bandula Samarasinghe, Dr. Thanoj Fernando, Prof Mandika Wijeyaratne (President-SLSVS), Dr. Nalaka Gunawansa (Editor), Prof Rezni Cassim (Secretary) and Dr. RanjukaUbayasiri (Treasurer)

Sri Lankan Society for Vascular Surgery annual academic conference “SLSVS_23”, brought together the crème de la crème of Sri Lanka’s vascular surgical community, which was held recently at Kingsbury Colombo was a resounding success.   

Under the presidency of Prof Mandika Wijeyaratne, Professor of Surgery University of Colombo, the conference surpassed all expectations by providing a platform for over 35 esteemed scholars from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to exchange ideas, showcase their work and foster collaborations in the field of vascular surgery.   
The inauguration ceremony was graced by chief guest Professor M. D. Lamawansa, Vice Chancellor - University of Peradeniya and current president of the SAARC Surgical Care Society as well as the Guest of Honour Dr. Narendra Pinto - past president of the SAARC Surgical Care Society.   

In the words of Isaac Newton “if we have seen further, it is only by sitting on the shoulders of giants. Two such giants in vascular surgery were recognized for their outstanding contribution. Prof Channa Ratnatunga - Emeritus Professor of University of Peradeniya and Professor A. H. Sheriffdeen - Emeritus Professor of University of Colombo were awarded lifetime achievement awards.   

The climax of the evening was the Inaugural A. H. Sheriffdeen Oration. Prof Mandika Wijeyaratne delivered the oration. Having been his protégé for over 30 years the oration served as a celebration of Prof Sheriffdeen’s remarkable life, tireless efforts, and exemplary work ethic in advancing the field to what it is known for in the country today. 

 
The conference marked the establishment of the first ever SAARC Society for Vascular Surgery, a momentous occasion that created an international platform for vascular surgeons across South Asia to collaborate, share knowledge, and advance the field. Professor Mandika Wijeyaratne was elected as the inaugural President and Professor Rezni Cassim as the inaugural secretary.