Sri Lankan Professor Sudath Shirley Pathmasiri Warnakulasuriya has been awarded the Princess Srinagarindra Award 2026, one of the world’s highest international honours in nursing, in recognition of his contributions to nursing education and the global healthcare sector.
According to the Ministry of Health, the prestigious award is presented annually to only one individual or group of nursing professionals worldwide for outstanding contributions to the field.
Professor Warnakulasuriya was selected for the award on September 9, 2026, by the Princess Srinagarindra Award Foundation Committee, chaired by Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
The official award ceremony was held on October 28 at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Ministry said Professor Warnakulasuriya was recognised for his visionary leadership in advancing nursing education, particularly his contributions to introducing Bachelor of Nursing Science degree programmes and establishing master’s and doctoral programmes in Sri Lanka.
He has also played a significant role in developing mental health and psychiatric nursing programmes, while working to improve professional standards and international recognition of Sri Lankan nursing.
Meanwhile, Professor Warnakulasuriya recently met Minister of HealthNalinda Jayatissa at the Ministry premises to inform him of the achievement.
During the meeting, Minister Jayatissa congratulated the Professor on behalf of the government and the Sri Lankan public, describing the international recognition as a matter of immense pride for the country.
The Minister also commended his contribution to improving the quality of nursing education in Sri Lanka.
The Princess Srinagarindra Award was established in 2000 to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Princess Srinagarindra, the mother of Thailand’s former King Bhumibol Adulyadej. (Newswire)