Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge  The onset of the Ukrainian war in 2014 created significant manpower challenges, prompting both Russia and Ukraine to recruit former soldiers from various nations. This situation has led to the involvement of numerous ex-combatants and military personnel from Sri Lanka, driven largely by the country’s severe economic conditions. Many veterans have […]

 Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge, M.D. PhD The conflict in Ukraine began in February 2014, resulting in significant and far-reaching consequences for the physical and mental well-being of its population. The protracted nature of the war has caused deep psychological scars and emotional distress among individuals and communities, particularly those living in the region’s most severely […]

Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge   Child sexual abuse has become an urgent concern, with a troubling number of children subjected to physical and sexual abuse within religious institutions. In recent decades, reports of such misconduct have emerged across various faiths, including Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism. Often, those in leadership roles within these organizations have either […]

Professor Harendra de Silva & Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge Since the JVP uprising in 1971, Sri Lanka has faced the alarming issue of child soldiers, a situation that escalated notably during the 1988-1989 revolt. These young recruits, referred to as the “Rathu Gatv” or “Red Youth,” were employed in various roles, including intelligence gathering, transporting […]

by Major General (Dr) H. Lakshman David and Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge Sri Lanka’s retired soldiers face a difficult transition from military service to civilian life. Their challenges are not limited to financial concerns; they also include psychological trauma, identity crises, social isolation, and limited career opportunities. While the country often celebrates military victory, far […]

Ruwan M Jayatunge, MD. PhD Drug and alcohol rehabilitation is a systematic approach that combines medical and therapeutic interventions to assist individuals in overcoming their dependence on addictive substances (The US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). The primary objective of rehabilitation is to equip individuals with the necessary skills and support to achieve long-term sobriety […]

Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge, M.D. PhD  The prolonged 30-year armed conflict in Sri Lanka has left many military veterans and former members of the LTTE grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many individuals suffering from PTSD remain undiagnosed and without treatment. The individuals affected by the conflict carry deep psychological wounds and haunting memories of […]

 Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D. PhD The Buddhist Jātaka tales represent a substantial collection of folklore, consisting of 547 poems. Archaeological and literary evidence suggests that these stories were compiled between the 3rd Century B.C. and the 5th Century A.D. As noted by Professor Rhys Davids, the Jātaka tales are among the oldest fables known […]

Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge During my time working as an anesthetist in various hospitals, I witnessed patients passing away in the intensive care units and operating theatres. I also encountered individuals who had experienced near-death situations and engaged in conversations with them. Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) have long intrigued me. The phenomenon raises profound questions about […]

Professor Muditha Vidanapathirana & Dr. Ruwaan M Jayatunge Serial homicide is defined as the unlawful killing of two or more individuals in separate events, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI, 2005). Hickey (2016) explains that serial killers engage in a series of murders, often driven by psychological motives and identifiable patterns or methods. […]

Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge  The shocking murder of former Sri Lankan parliamentarian Amarakirthi Athukorala, along with his security officer, during ARAGALAYA in 2022,  raises profound questions regarding human behaviour and the darker aspects of human nature. According to the reports, the mob attacked the two men with poles and clubs. The post-mortem examination revealed that MP […]

 Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge  According to UNICEF (2007), the term child soldier refers to any person under 18 years of age who is recruited or used by an armed force or armed group in any capacity. Under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, conscripting, enlisting, or using children under 15 in hostilities is a […]

Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D. 1) Between Literature and Psychology ( Foreword   by  Professor Mary V. Seeman, OC MDCM, FRCPC DSc.  Professor Emerita    , Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto)  LINK; https://transyl2014.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-new-book-on-literature-and-psychology.html 2)  Psychological Aspects of Buddhist Jātaka Stories ( Foreword by   Rolf B. Gainer, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute at Brookhaven Hospital, […]

 Dr.  Ruwan M Jayatunge, M.D. PhD Immanuel Kant’s exploration of mental disorders is extensively articulated in his later work, Anthropology from a Pragmatic Point of View (1798). Unlike the predominant medical or biological perspectives of his era, Kant adopted a pragmatic approach, emphasizing the impact of mental illness on an individual’s cognitive and moral agency […]

Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge Angola is a large Southern African country that was under Portuguese colonial rule for more than 400 years before achieving independence on November 11, 1975. The country ranks among Africa’s leading producers of crude oil and diamonds, which are crucial to its export economy and government finances. Portuguese remains the official […]

Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D.  Episode Summary What a privilege it was to connect with Dr. Ruwan M. Jayatunge, M.D. PhD. We spoke about the nature of suffering, Buddhism, happiness, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Nietzsche, and his work across the globe, treating patients with PTSD. I promise you that if you listen to this conversation with an […]

Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D. Facilitators Dr. Upali Peiris -Consultant PsychiatristDr. Ruwan M Jayatunge – Medical Doctor / Clinical PsychologistDr. Priya – General Practitioner Date: 11th of December 2025, ThursdayTime 8.30 pm Link; https://meet.jit.si/moderated/974a3405ecd97ef132153456f7d2e23e8a0a6311d1976d4227808f5f198ccfba

Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge  Cyclone Ditwah has resulted in a tragic toll, with 465 confirmed fatalities and around 366 individuals still unaccounted for. Some estimates suggest that the actual numbers may be even higher. The disaster has displaced over 61,000 families, who are currently seeking refuge in emergency shelters. In total, more than 1.5 million […]

Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge, M.D. PhD In The Cult of the Goddess Pattini (1984), Gananath Obeyesekere analyzes the historical, sociological, and psychological aspects of the Pattini cult in Sri Lanka, examining the goddess’s syncretic nature and challenging conventional interpretations of South Asian religion. Obeyesekere mentions that his study of the Cult of the Goddess Pattini […]

 Ruwan M. Jayatunge, M.D. PhD  The enduring armed conflict in Sri Lanka has led to an alarming increase in mental health disorders among former combatants, with a notable proportion of veterans being diagnosed with complex forms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Many of these individuals experience severe anxiety that manifests through a diverse array of […]

Dr. Ajith Amarasinghe and Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge Veediya Bandara rose to prominence as a celebrated war hero in the 16th century during the Kotte Kingdom, earning the title Thiruwelle Bandara, meaning “The Tiger of Kotte.” His valour and tactical acumen have solidified his place as a crucial figure in Sri Lankan history. Interestingly, some […]

Dr. Neil J Fernando / Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge Abstract From 1983 to 2009, the Sri Lankan Army engaged in an extended conflict known as the Eelam War, which saw a significant number of soldiers deployed in combat zones for prolonged periods. This relentless exposure to warfare led to a considerable incidence of combat stress […]

Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D., PhD Drug addiction is a complex condition that affects individuals physically and psychologically.  To fully comprehend this condition, it is essential to examine the interplay of biological, environmental, and social influences that contribute to its onset and progression, as well as to inform effective treatment strategies. Drug addiction is a chronic, […]

Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke, FRCS & Dr. Ruwan Jayatunge, M.D., PhD Introduction; Trichobezoars are uncommon foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract, composed of swallowed hair. They are most often encountered in adolescent girls with trichotillomania and trichophagia (Naik et al.  2005).  When the hairball extends beyond the pylorus into the small intestine, the condition is termed Rapunzel syndrome, first […]

Major Gen. Dr. Boniface Perera & Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge  Sri Lankan armed forces veterans participated in a lengthy and intense conflict known as the Eelam War, culminating in a significant victory in 2009. Despite this achievement, many veterans emerged from the conflict with lasting physical injuries that continue to affect their lives long after […]

Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge  The ordination of young children has emerged as a significant societal concern, primarily due to the alarming reality that many of these vulnerable individuals become targets for pedophiles. This troubling trend underscores the urgent need for government intervention to implement stringent measures aimed at safeguarding children from abuse within religious institutions. […]

Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D., PhD  The emergence of Tamil militancy in Sri Lanka can be traced back to a complex interplay of historical, social, and political factors that have shaped the island’s ethnic landscape. It reflects a broader narrative of ethnic strife, where historical injustices and socio-political exclusion catalyzed a movement that sought to […]

Professor Richard N. Lalonde  Department of Psychology York University, Canada  Shell Shock to Palali Syndrome: PTSD Sri Lankan Experience traces the history of trauma in Sri Lanka, from the experiences of a few “shell-shocked” Sri Lankan soldiers during World War II to the widespread psychological damage caused by the decades-long civil war and the 2004 tsunami.  Dr. […]

Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D. PhD  Professor Gananatha Obeyesekere was a distinguished scholar from Sri Lanka, and his writings stand out for their originality and depth, offering profound scholarly insights. His influence extended far beyond the confines of the small island where he originated, allowing him to disseminate his knowledge on a global scale. Through his […]

Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D. Dr. Ruwan M. Jayathunge’s recent publication, “Revisiting Gananath Obeyesekere,” holds significant contemporary relevance as it offers a comprehensive analytical examination of the influential works and research contributions of Gananath Obeyesekere, a distinguished former anthropology professor at Princeton University. This book delves into various aspects of Obeyesekere’s scholarship, including his insightful […]