Dr. KHA Tissera

Dr. Hasitha Tissera is a senior public health physician and consultant epidemiologist with more than 28 years of experience in communicable disease epidemiology, disease prevention and control, outbreak response, immunization, emergency preparedness, and health systems strengthening.

Before joining Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, he held senior positions within the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka, including leadership roles in the National Dengue Control Programme, Epidemiology Unit, and National Immunization Programme. His work has contributed to strengthening national disease surveillance, dengue prevention and clinical management, immunization policy and programme implementation, outbreak preparedness and response, and public health emergency management.

• • Dengue epidemiology and outbreak dynamics
  • Arboviral disease surveillance systems
  • Vector ecology and control interventions
  • Vaccine evaluation and immunopathogenesis
  • Health economics and cost-effectiveness of interventions

Chief Epidemiologist (Acting), Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka (July 2024 – November 2025)

Regional Consultant, Arboviral Diseases & Health Emergencies, World Health Organization – Western Pacific Regional Office, Manila (2022–2024)

Consultant Epidemiologist, Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka (2006–2024)

Coordinator and Director (Acting), National Dengue Control Unit, Sri Lanka (2013–2019)

Regional Epidemiologist, Ampara district, Sri Lanka (1998 – 2001)