The Pediatric Dermatology unit of LRH was established in the year 2001 with one consultant dermatologist, Prof. Jayamini Seneviratne. Since then up to date for nearly 20 years, the skin unit has been providing dedicated care for children with acute and chronic skin diseases for the entire country. Prof. Seneviratne, present since the inception of the unit, is the pillar behind the success of the pediatric dermatological care at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children. This unit remains the main primary and tertiary care unit for the entire country. A few years ago, a new centre was established at Sirimavo Bandaranaike Hospital.
We have been able to provide uninterrupted care for our children for over the last 20 years, even in difficult situations like the Eelam war, the insurgency of 1989 and the current COVID-19 pandemic.
We provide dermatological care for newborns, infants and children up to 14 years of age
Prof.Jayamini Seneviratne
Consultant Dermatologist
Dr. (Mrs.) Sriyani Samaraweera
Consultant Dermatologist
| Name of Consultant | Specialty | Ward | Clinic Room | Day of the week |
| Prof. J. K. K. Senavirathna | Consultant Dermatologist | Ward 19 A | 33 | Monday Wednesday Friday 08am-12noon |
| Dr. E. S. N. Samaraweera | Consultant Dermatologist | Ward 19 A | 33 | Tuesday Thursday Saturady 08am-12noon |
The services we provide consist of both in-patient and out-patient care. We entertain referrals from out-patient departments, internal referrals from other clinicians as well as referrals from clinicians other hospitals, including those working in peripheries. In addition, there are referrals from the private sector sent by the two consultant dermatologists attached to the dermatology unit. Thus, the LRH skin unit serves as the final referral center for pediatric dermatology in the country. We also have 4 evening minor procedure clinics at 2:00 – 4:00 pm.
Patients with extensive or severe skin diseases, patients for whom out-patient management failed or patients that are in need of special in-ward treatments will be admitted to the dermatology ward. As for the patients who need close pediatric monitoring, they will be offered joint care while keeping the patients in the pediatric wards. The well-trained nursing staff in the ward will help and educate parents on appropriate skin care.
Activities done for the community – Contact screening for children with leprosy.
Conducting educational programmes for the public and for the medical and paramedical staff.
The dermatology unit of LRH serves as a training center in pediatric dermatology. The centre provides both undergraduate and post-graduate teaching. Undergraduates from Colombo, Sri Jayawardenapura and Kotelawela Defence University can attend classes regularly. Postgraduates of both dermatology and pediatrics are trained.
The unit also conducts research in many areas of dermatology and publishes the work in international peer-reviewed journals. The research interests include child leprosy, skin infections, atopic dermatitis and innovative therapies like stem cell grafts and injections of platelet-rich plasma for Morphoea.