Biography

Dr. W.A.S. Saroja Weerakoon, Grade I Senior Lecturer in Ayurveda Pediatrics, Faculty of Indigenous Medicine (FIM), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and Ayurvedic Consultant Pediatrician in National Ayurveda Teaching Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

She graduated from the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, Rajagiriya in 2005 with BAMS (Hons). Dr. Weerakoon joined as an academic member of the Department of Ayurveda Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo in 2008. She completed her Master Degree in Ayurveda Pediatrics at, University of Colombo in 2010 and PhD Degree in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2016. She was accredited as a lecturer in Higher Education by the Staff Educational Development Association (SEDA), United Kingdom

Dr.Weerakoon has teaching experienc around 16 years. She has trained undergraduate and postgraduate scholars. During her career in the faculty, she was appointed as the Head of the Unit of Prausitantra Kaumarabhrithya (Unit of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics- 2018-2021) and she served in several administrative positions such as Member of the Research Management and Higher Degree Committee, Senior Student counsellor, Medical officer, Academic mentoring Coordinator and secretary Ayurveda Sectional committee.

She currently involves in being a Mentor for undergraduates’ medical educators, supervisor, coordinator of the Academic Mentoring programme, the post of course coordinator for the Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric in Child Nutrition and the Permanent student counsellor of the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo.

She has experience as a member of the Curriculum Development and Evaluation Committee (CDEC), Ethics Review Committee (ERC), Animal Research and Welfare Sub Committee (ARWSC), Domain Coordinator for Institutional Review (IR) and Member of the Career Guidance Unit (CGU) and Forum for Ethics Review Committees in Sri Lanka (FERCSL)

Dr. Weerakoon also works as an honorary Consultant in Ayurveda Paediatrics attached to the National Ayurveda Teaching Hospital, Borella. She is an active member of the Sri Lanka Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences (SLALAS), served as the Treasure (year 2022/ 2023) and a member of the Society for Alternatives to Animal Testing in Sri Lanka (SAAT-SL) served as Treasure (Year 2021 – 2023)

As a clinical and academic researcher engaging to strengthen research competence in Ayurveda and Traditional Medical System in Sri Lanka. She has publications in index, peer-reviewed journals and has authored books on several areas. She is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Postgraduate Indigenous Medicine at present

Her research interests include bioactivities of Indigenous medicines and Pediatric related disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactive disorders and Muscular dystrophies.

Qualifications, Fellowships and Certifications

  • B.A.M.S. (Hons)

    Under Graduate - Bachelor’s Degree

    University of Colombo

  • MPhil (Ayu) 2010

    Post Graduate Degrees

    University of Colombo

  • PhD 2016

    Post Graduate

    Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

  • Certificate of Teaching in Higher Education (CTHE), 2009

    Certificate

    Staff Development Centre, University of Colombo

  • Higher education 2009

    Accredited as a teacher in Higher education by the Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA)

    in the United Kingdom

Positions

  • Present2019

    Senior Lecturer (Grade I)

    Unit of Prasuti Tantra Kaumarabhrithya, Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo.