Professor Dilani Lokuhetty

Prof Dilani Lokuhetty is a Professor in Pathology and a Consultant Histo/Cytopathologist, with wide experience in undergraduate teaching, assessments, diagnostic pathology and scientific research at the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. Prof Lokuhetty serves as a postgraduate supervisor and a trainer in histo/Cytopathology for the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, and is also a supervisor of post graduate research degree students (MPhil, DM and PhD). Her research interests include breast, genitourinary, gastrointestinal pathology, cervical/thyroid cytology and organ toxic effects of ayurvedic and herbal medications, with local and international publications and >300 citations. Prof Lokuhetty has received research grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Research Council of Sri Lanka and has been the recipient of many research awards at scientific forums, including the presidential award for scientific publication. She has contributed significantly to the development of the national cervical cancer screening programme by training several batches of cytoscreeners, sphere heading the formulation of national guidelines for reporting cervical cytology based on the Bethesda classification and authoring a cytology atlas to complement cervical cytology cytoscreening/reporting by the cytoscreeners and the cytopathologists. Prof Lokuhetty has also helped to strengthen breast cancer care in Sri Lanka. The first laboratory assessing breast immune prognostic markers in the country was pioneered by the departmental team under her guidance. She has taken a lead role in developing national guidelines for reporting breast carcinoma and thyroid cytology based on the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytology and contributed to formulate the reporting guidelines for breast immune prognostic markers. Prof Lokuhetty has served in the national advisory panels for Breast and Gynaecological cancers at the National Cancer Control Programme.

Prof Lokuhetty’s contributions in the field of medical research and innovation, and her professionalism as a woman have been recognized at national level.