With a clinical background of general and trauma surgery, Obstetrics and gynaecology and rural general practice, Sujeewa Palagama is involved in teaching clinical anatomy, clinical and surgical skills and PBLs for years 1, 2 and 3 in the School of Rural Medicine. Equipped with a Masters degree in Medical Research, he is interested in conducting research in anatomy, surgical training and simulations. MBBS, MD - Surgery (part 1), MMedRes

I am interested in what native bacterial communities are doing to break down and grow on antibiotics, especially synthetic antibiotics like cipro and triclosan. These drugs are constantly introduced into the environment through wastewater, and it's not surprising that bacteria, which can be incredibly versatile, would learn how to utilize such molecules as food. Most studies focus on resistance to drugs rather than metabolism of drugs, so I am interested in how some bacterial species are not only resistant but also take advantage of these new and unusual food sources. I am also interested in how often species with such abilities can be isolated (from various sources) and how many different species have learned how to do this.

Effect of delay to surgery on peri-operative outcome in acute appendicitis. De Silva W.D.D., Abeysekera W.Y.M., Palagama S.P.W., Wijegunawardene S., Wijesinghe P., Banagala A.S.K., Sri Lanka Journal of Surgery 2013; 31 (S1):32 Developing and implementing an online CPD module on management of breast carcinoma for general practitioners in Sri Lanka – The Need analysis. Palagama S. P. W., Pathirana T.I., Nazeer I., Karunathilake I. Bilateral chondroepitrochlearis – a rare anomaly of Pectoralis major: A case study and review of its clinical and phylogenetic significance Palagama S.P.W., Barton M.J., Tedman R.A., Forwood M.R., A rare aberration of spleen with multiple notches and splenules associated with other anatomical anomalies: A case study and review of its clinical significance Pathirana T.I., Barton M. J., George M., Tedman R.A., Forwood M.R., Palagama S.P.W.