3 rd Annual Session of Dietitians’ Association of Sri Lanka was held in 21st and 22nd April 2017 at Hilton Residences, Colombo. This time the Theme of the session was “Evidence based medical nutrition therapy for managingchronic kidney disease”.

Hon. Minister Rajitha Senarathna, Minister of Health was the chief guest for the Inaugural session held in 21st April. The session was further enlightened with a chief guests’ speech Hon. Minister Rajitha Senarathna, Presidential Address by Mr. N.M.S Hettigedara (President- Dietitians’ Association of Sri Lanka) and the Key Note Address on “Challenges in Chronic Kidney Disease in Sri Lanka” delivered by Dr. Iresha Hettiarachchi, Consultant Nephrologist, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya. Vote of thanks for the Inaugural session was delivered by Mrs. Nilushi Mudalige (Joint Secretaries – Dietitians’ Association of Sri Lanka).

22 nd April 2017
The session was comprised with a plenary speech, 2 symposiumsand avital guest lectures.
The Plenary speech was on “Chronic kidney Diseases: Sri Lankan Perspective”, presented by Mr. AselaIddawela, Director, Presidential Task force for Prevention of CKD. CKD, Understanding Pathophysiology was the theme of the 1st Symposium which was chaired by Dr. Renuka Silva, Senior Lecturer in Human Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.
It was included 2 speeches, a speech on “Metabolism and Co morbidities of CKD”delivered by Dr. Iresha Hettiarachchi, Consultant Nephrologist, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya.
And a speech on Accuracy of Laboratory Parameters in Management of CKD, by Ms. Prabhani Pushpamali, Medical Laboratory Technician, National Hospital of Sri Lanka. An important guest lecture on “CKD of uncertain etiology” was given by Prof. Sivakaneshan Rammiah, Professor of Emeritus, University of Peradeniya.

Theme of the second symposiumwas “Renal Nutrition: From theory to practice”. The symposium was chaired by Dr. Anoma Chadrasekara, Senior lecturer and Head, Department of Applied Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. It comprised with threeimportant discussions on “Evidenced based nutrition therapy in Management of End stage Renal Disease” by Mr. N.M.S Hettigedara, Supt of Police(Registered Nutritionist/Registered Dietitian), Police Hospital, Sri Lanka, “Nutritional challenges in Children with Kidney Diseases” by Dr. Harshani Dharmawardana, Consultant Pediatric Nephrologist, Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya and “Nutrition Care Process for Diabetic Nephropathy: Australian Perspective” by Ms. Sulochi Subasinghe, Accredited Practicing Dietitian, Vibe Health Services, Australia. Vote of thanks for the event was delivered by Mrs. Amal Firouse (Joint Secretaries – Dietitians’ Association of Sri Lanka).