9th ASOMP conference held at MAHSA University, Malaysia from 22nd to 24th August 2019

Third international conference on “oral cancer, oral potentially malignant disorders, smokeless tobacco and areca nut” organized by the centre for Research in Oral Cancer (CROC) was successfully completed on 14th July 2019 at K bambaradeniya Auditorium, Faculty of Dental Sciences. The theme of the event was “towards a society free of oral cancer. This event was jointly organized by the Centre for Research in Oral Cancer of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Ministry of Health, SLT project committee of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) and Presidential Task Force on Drug Prevention.
First pre conference workshop was held on the 12th on the topic of Smokeless Tobacco and Areca nut control in Sri Lanka. This workshop was conducted with the participation of all stake holders and a strategic plan for the next five years was discussed and finalized. Second workshop on Imaging and diagnostic aids in the management of Oral cancer and OPMD was held at the CPC hall on the same day.

The 26th Board meeting of CROC was held on 16th June 2023 (Friday) at the auditorium of the CROC and via Zoom. This was the first Board meeting held following the appointment of the new Director of the center, Professor Niroshini S. Soysa. The delegates of the board of management were present. The Board of Management discussed the future of CROC in this meeting.

The 8th Journal Club of the Centre for Research in Oral Cancer (CROC) was held on 6th July 2023 at the CROC auditorium with the participation of local and foreign participants via the Zoom platform.

The Centre for Research in Oral Cancer, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya successfully organized a half-day workshop on 26th September 2025 from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 pm.
We were honored to have Prof. H.N.S. Soysa (Director of CROC) , Dr. Nadisha Piyarathne (Secretary of CROC) , and Mrs. Sriyani Perera (Former Senior Assistant Librarian, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya) as our distinguished resource persons. They shared their expertise and practical insights, guiding participants through the essential concepts and practices of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
The workshop brought together an enthusiastic group of participants representing the Faculty of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, Postgraduate Institute of Science, and Faculty of Allied Health Sciences. This multidisciplinary participation enriched the discussions and created a collaborative learning environment.
At the conclusion of the event, certificates of participation were awarded by Prof. B.M.H.S.K. Banneheka, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, adding a memorable highlight to the occasion.
A heartfelt thank you to our esteemed resource persons and all participants for making this workshop a resounding success!

A research methodology workshop, organized by the Faculty Research Committee was held on 11th July 2023 at the CROC auditorium by the resource person Prof Ananda Dasanayake Dept. of Epidemiology & Health Promotion, NYU,USA

Smokeless tobacco and Areca nut cessation training programme for Nurses, NTS, Kandy. 19.09.2019

Smokeless tobacco and Areca nut cessation training programme for dental surgeons, Sirimavo Bandaranayake Children's Hospital. 18.09.2019

Smokeless tobacco and Areca nut cessation training programme for dental surgeons, North Province. 03.09.2019

Smokeless tobacco and Areca nut cessation training programme for nursing students, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya. 17.08.2019

Smokeless tobacco and Areca nut cessation training programme for dental surgeons, Uva Province. 16.08.2019

Smokeless tobacco and Areca nut cessation training programme for dental surgeons, North Western Province, 09.08.2019

Training programme on “Tobacco and Areca Nut Cessation” and Opening of Tobacco cessation Clinic at Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka on Thursday 10th January 2019

Training programme on “Smokeless Tobacco and Areca Nut Cessation at Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka on Thursday 14th June 2018”

The new building constructed for the Centre for Research in Oral Cancer (CROC) of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya was ceremonially opened by Prof Upul B Dissanayake, Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya with the presence of DrvajiraJayasinghe, Dean, faculty of Dental Sciences, Dr Ananda Jayalal, Deputy Director General (Dental) Health Services,Dr Samantha Kumara Kithalawarchchi, Former Director/ PTFDP, Prof WM Tilakaratne, Director CROC and Secretary,Prof RuwanJayasinghe.
This center is the one and only research centre dedicated for the research in oral cancer in the country. It has laboratory which will be developed in to a state of the research laboratory to conduct molecular research relevant to oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders. In addition, it has the facilities of a tobacco and areca nut cessation clinic, animal house, auditorium, library space, IT area and office space.

First official visiting research fellow to the CROC, Dr Yuhei Matsuda, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Japan, 09.08.2019

Multidisciplinary comprehensive review on National Cancer Control Program through IAEA- PACT program.