Dr. Sarath Samarage joined the Institute for Health Policy as a Senior Fellow in April 2016, after serving as a National Consultant at the World Health Organization Country Office, Sri Lanka for six years. He is a Consultant Community Physician, and held the posts of Director Organization Development and Deputy Director General of Health Services (Planning) in the Ministry of Health prior to his retirement in 2010 after serving 32 years in different parts of the country.

Dr. Samarage holds a MPH (International Health) degree from the John Hopkins University, USA and a Masters and Doctoral Degrees in Community Medicine from the Post-Graduate Institute of Medicine in Sri Lanka. He is a Senior Fellow of the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo and has served in the Boards of Study in Community Medicine and Medical Administration. He has been conferred with the fellowships of the College of Community Physicians and the College of Medical Administrators of Sri Lanka for his outstanding contributions to the fields of Community Medicine and Medical Administration.

Dr Samarage is a Past President of the College of Medical Administrators of Sri Lanka. He also serves as the country focal point for the Asia-Pacific Action Alliance on Human Resources for Health (AAAH) and the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Chapter of the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA). He is the Commander of the St.John Ambulance Association & Brigade of Sri Lanka. He is a Council Member of the Independent Medical Practitioners Association. Dr Samarage’s research interests are in the areas of Health Systems Development, Primary Health Care, Human Resources Development, and Health Policy & Planning.