Nov 19, Colombo: Sri Lanka Medical Association in collaboration with the University of Colombo and the National Science Foundation is hosting the 12th Annual Forum for Ethical Review Committees in Asia & the Western Pacific (FERCAP) International Conference from November 18 -21 at the Waters Edge Convention Center, in Battaramulla, Colombo.

The 12th Annual FERCAP Conference provides a forum for various stakeholders to discuss concepts, models and approaches to conduct health related research while considering the cultural and ethnic challenges and social issues of people from different backgrounds.

The main conference will open today and Prof. Anoja Fernando, Chairperson of the Ethics Review Committee of Sri Lanka Medical Association will be the Chief Guest.

Over 400 delegates from 108 leading hospitals, medical universities and the pharmaceutical industry in the Asia Pacific region are participating in the four-day conference to share their ideas and actual experiences under the theme "Development, Ethnicity, Culture and Ethical Health Research."

The Chairman of the FERCAP Kenji Hiriyama said Sri Lanka, with a long tradition of history and culture is a very appropriate place for the conference theme.

The attendees will discuss and exchange ideas about how ethnicity and culture affect the conduct of research, and how new product development, can be done in a socially acceptable manner.

President of Sri Lanka Medical Association Prof. Vajira Dissanayake who was instrumental in getting Sri Lanka to host the event said the conference is being held in Sri Lanka at a very important time for the country when it is looking at rapid economic development through investment in research and development.