KidsTox LK Children's Poison Information and Research Center, Kelaniya (2026)

14/02/2026

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲: 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵

On 13th February 2026, KidsToxLK, in collaboration with the Research Management Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, successfully conducted an engaging and timely webinar titled “From Evidence to Practice: Use of AI in Research.” The session brought together academics, clinicians, postgraduate trainees, and researchers interested in understanding how artificial intelligence (AI) can be meaningfully integrated into health research.

The webinar was delivered by Prof. Amaranath Karunanayake, Associate Professor in Physiology at the University of Ruhuna. Drawing from his academic and research experience, Prof. Karunanayake provided a practical and balanced perspective on the rapidly evolving role of AI in scientific inquiry. The session was moderated by Professor Kavinda Dayasiri, who guided the discussion and facilitated an interactive exchange with participants.

Read More: https://kidstox.kln.ac.lk/news-info

14/02/2026

𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗹
(sourced from our colleagues in Edinburgh)

13/02/2026

𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘄𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮

Snakebites are a serious health problem in many rural parts of the world. In Sri Lanka, where farms, forests, and villages lie close together, children are often at risk of encountering snakes while playing, helping at home, or walking to school. Because snakebite injuries can be painful and dangerous — especially for children — researchers want to understand how communities can better prevent bites and respond quickly when they happen.

A new study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases explores an important idea: Can community health workers help keep kids safe from snakebites? Led by Prof. Kavinda Dayasiri and colleagues, this research listened to the voices of Public Health Midwives — healthcare workers who visit families and children regularly in rural Sri Lanka.

Read More: https://kidstox.kln.ac.lk/publications

12/02/2026

𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀𝗧𝗼𝘅𝗟𝗞 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻

On 12th February, KidsToxLK organised an international webinar focusing on rodenticide and pesticide poisonings in children, an important and timely topic given the continued burden of toxic exposures in many low- and middle-income countries. The webinar brought together health professionals from across Sri Lanka, as well as NIHR scholars and participants from the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting the growing global interest in strengthening paediatric toxicology knowledge and practice.

The invited speaker was Dr. Indira Madhavan, Professor in the Department of Medicine at Government Medical College, Kerala, India. With more than two decades of experience in internal medicine, medical education, and clinical toxicology, she delivered an insightful and practice-oriented session. Her presentation followed a case-based approach, enabling participants to engage deeply with real clinical scenarios and practical management challenges encountered in paediatric poisonings.

Read More: https://kidstox.kln.ac.lk/news-info

11/02/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀𝗧𝗼𝘅𝗟𝗞–𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲

Snakebite continues to pose a serious threat to children living in rural Sri Lanka, particularly in districts where agricultural livelihoods and close interaction with natural environments increase exposure risk. Many paediatric snakebites occur in home gardens, pathways, and even within household premises. Recognising that prevention must begin at community level, KidsToxLK has prioritised strengthening rural families’ knowledge and response capacity as a central pillar of its public health mission.

In partnership with the Education, Training and Research Division of the Ministry of Health, KidsToxLK implemented a structured training programme for Public Health Midwives (PHMs) in the Ampara District. As trusted frontline health workers who maintain close contact with families, PHMs are uniquely positioned to influence behavioural change and deliver consistent health education within rural communities. By equipping them with updated, evidence-based knowledge on snakebite prevention and first aid, the programme aimed to create a sustainable, community-driven model of prevention.

Read More: https://kidstox.kln.ac.lk/news-info

10/02/2026

🎓 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘀

07/02/2026

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮

We are delighted to announce the publication of a new research article led by Professor Kavinda Dayasiri, Director of KidsToxLK and Consultant Paediatrician at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. The paper, titled “Facing pediatric snakebites unarmed: knowledge gaps and first-aid response challenges among parents in rural Sri Lanka”, was published on 6 February 2026 and highlights critical insights into caregiver preparedness for pediatric snakebite incidents in rural communities.

Pediatric snakebites remain a neglected but serious public health threat in rural Sri Lanka, where children are at high risk due to environmental exposure and limited access to emergency care. In this study, researchers conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey among 518 parents of children under five years of age from two snakebite-endemic districts — Ampara and Polonnaruwa.

Read More: https://kidstox.kln.ac.lk/publications

07/02/2026

𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀𝗧𝗼𝘅𝗟𝗞 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀

The Director of KidsToxLK participated as a resource person at the research proposal presentation session conducted for students enrolled in the Short Course on Basics in Research for Health Professionals, organised by the Library of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, on 7 February.

The session featured research proposals presented by participants, who were mainly medical graduates and medical undergraduates, following a series of structured research learning sessions. As a resource person, the KidsToxLK Director provided expert guidance and constructive feedback on research concepts, formulation of research questions, methodological approaches, and feasibility of proposed studies.

Read More: https://kidstox.kln.ac.lk/news-info

07/02/2026

𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀𝗧𝗼𝘅𝗟𝗞 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Prof. Kavinda Dayasiri delivered an invited lecture at the Paediatric Symposium during the 48th Annual Academic Sessions of the Kandy Society of Medicine, held on 6th February 2026 at the Grand Kandyan Hotel, Kandy.

His presentation focused on paediatric poisoning and snakebite management, highlighting these conditions as preventable yet persistent threats to child health in Sri Lanka. Emphasising gaps in early recognition, first aid, and referral pathways, Prof. Dayasiri discussed practical strategies to improve clinical management practices and strengthen child safety at both household and health system levels.

Read More: https://kidstox.kln.ac.lk/news-info

05/02/2026

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀𝗧𝗼𝘅𝗟𝗞 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗲

We are proud to share that Professor Namal Rathnayake has co-authored a new research article in the prestigious journal Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (TRSTMH), published by Oxford Academic and recognised internationally for contributions to tropical and global health research.

This research addresses a significant gap in snakebite medicine, focusing on the long-term health impacts of bites from the hump-nosed pit viper (genus Hypnale), one of the most medically important venomous snakes in Sri Lanka.

Read More: https://kidstox.kln.ac.lk/publications

02/02/2026

𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀𝗧𝗼𝘅𝗟𝗞 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗫 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Professor Kavinda Dayasiri, Consultant Paediatrician and Director of KidsToxLK Children’s Poison Information and Research Center, delivered an impactful presentation at the Middle East and North Africa Medical Toxicology Conference (MENATOX) 2026, held recently with experts from Syria, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and other nations.

In his talk titled “KidsToxLK: Strengthening Paediatric Poison Information Services in Sri Lanka,” Professor Dayasiri highlighted the urgent need for robust poison information systems tailored to the unique exposure patterns of children in low- and middle-income settings.

Read More: https://kidstox.kln.ac.lk/news-info
Full Video: https://youtu.be/pJSrMhHJARA

28/01/2026

𝗡𝗜𝗛𝗥 𝗧𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽

KidsTox LK is pleased to share its participation in the NIHR Capacity Building Workshop on Toxicology Research, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Global Research Academy for Clinical Toxicology (GRACT). The workshop brought together leading international experts in clinical toxicology research, including Professor James Dear, Professor Knut Hovda, and Professor Christopher J. Weir, who served as key resource persons. The programme focused on strengthening research skills, mentorship, and international collaboration in clinical toxicology, particularly for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

GRACT is an academic training initiative designed to develop the next generation of clinical toxicology researchers. Functioning as a virtual global research academy, it supports early career researchers through structured mentorship, international networking, and guidance in designing and conducting impactful toxicology research.

Read More: https://kidstox.kln.ac.lk/news-info

KidsTox LK Children's Poison Information and Research Center

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