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<>Meet Dr Nalinika Obeyesekere, Member of the WSAVA Executive Board
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Could you introduce yourself to our members?
I am a small animal clinician from the island of Sri Lanka. My core clinical interests are internal medicine with a focus on animal behaviour and welfare. Coming from a country whose veterinary sector is only recently growing in stature and capacity, I am passionate about improving veterinary education and standards. Animals and their owners should have access to good veterinary care, wherever they live.
Could you tell us a bit about your career and ‘day job’ in Sri Lanka?
I started my career 25 years ago when the companion animal sector was close to non-existent in Sri Lanka and veterinary education was focused on farm animals. Most of my companion animal knowledge was learned independently and informally though CE, online programs, attending international congresses, a lot of reading and hands-on experience directly from my patients – for whose love and patience, I will always be grateful.
Together with some colleagues, I opened the first multi-vet practice in Sri Lanka. At the time we had 3 vets and 1 supporting team member. Today we have 15+ vets and 15+ trained (informally) nurses. The progress of our clinic reflects Sri Lanka’s journey in terms of pets and companion animal care. Seeing patients, teaching and managing the clinic is my day job.
What attracted you to getting involved with the WSAVA?
It was my search for high quality CE that led me to the WSAVA. Initially, I was in contact with the Veterinary Practitioners Association, Thailand, as it was the closest association providing the CE I needed. Then, with the inspiration and guidance of Dr Siraya Chunekamrai, I established our local association, the Society of Companion Animal Practitioners (SCAP) in Sri Lanka and we joined the WSAVA. This opened the door to attending many more congresses and international CE events. It was the creation of SCAP that made this a reality and, during my time on the Executive Board, I hope to facilitate many other countries in forming companion animal associations if they don’t yet have them.
You won the WSAVA One Health Award in 2015. Could you tell us about that?
It was my interest in Sri Lankas, hardy and intelligent street dog populations and desire to help in the fight against rabies that led to me getting deeply involved in this area. I was honored to receive the WSAVA One Health Award for my work and the WSAVA Award for Companion Animal Welfare a few years later.
You’ve been on the WSAVA Executive Board for a year now. How are you finding it and how do you see your role?
What I enjoy most is the opportunity to open doors to make vet education happen and improved veterinary standards a global reality. Because of my first-hand experience in Sri Lanka, of what it’s like to have poor access to education and poor standards of animal welfare, these issues have always been a primary passion and focus for me.
I continue to really enjoy and be amazed by meeting such wonderful and interesting vets from varied regions. Being from a small and isolated island, seeing the commonalties not just in the people but also in the problems and needs in so many varied locations in both amazing and wonderful. There is nothing more fun and rewarding than having a network of international friends and colleagues.
What are you most looking forward to about 2024?
I’m really looking forward to seeing our CE progress, revamp and expand under the direction of our new Chief Learning and Development Officer, Debbie Gray. I hope to play a greater role in understanding the needs and challenges of Asian veterinary practice and how the WSAVA can support progress. I am also keenly interested in understanding the issues faced by our African colleagues as I know that the WSAVA can also help to improve standards and opportunities on that amazing continent.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?
I really enjoy the outdoors, especially wildlife and hiking/trekking.
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