Colombo, Sri Lanka | August 22, 2026

In a landmark moment for robotic surgery in Sri Lanka, Prof. Subhash Khanna, Chief of Minimal Access, GI and Robotic Surgery at Swagat Super Speciality Surgical Institute, Guwahati, was invited as International Faculty for Sri Lanka’s first live robotic surgery workshop, held at Kings Hospital, Colombo, on August 22, 2026.
To participate as an operating surgeon in the live surgical programme, Prof. Khanna was formally registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council, fulfilling the necessary regulatory requirements for an international surgeon to perform surgery in the country.
A Historic Live Robotic Surgery Programme
The landmark workshop was organised at Kings Hospital under the leadership of Prof. Bawantha Gamage, President-Elect of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, as part of the launch of the hospital's robotic surgery programme using the indigenous Indian SSI Mantra Surgical Robotic System.
Nearly 65 surgeons and surgical trainees from across Sri Lanka attended the live workshop.
Prof. Khanna performed a robotic bilateral TAPP groin hernia repair along with Prof. Bawantha Gamage, with valuable assistance from Dr. Supriya Choudhury and Dr. Sanjeeva of Kings Hospital. He also performed what was announced as Sri Lanka’s first robot-assisted cholecystectomy, marking another significant milestone in the country’s journey towards advanced robotic surgery.
The international faculty for the programme also included Prof. Chelliah Selvasekar, Prof. Jim Khan and Mr. N. Venkata Jayanthi from the United Kingdom, who joined eminent Sri Lankan surgeons in the academic and live operative sessions.
The workshop was followed by a formal ceremony marking the launch of the robotic surgery programme at Kings Hospital.
Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, Founder and CEO of SS Innovations, delivered the keynote address and formally handed over the Indian-developed SSI Mantra Surgical Robotic System to Kings Hospital.

Strengthening India–Sri Lanka Surgical Collaboration
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Khanna expressed his commitment to supporting the growth of robotic surgery and structured surgical training in Sri Lanka.
“It was an honour to participate in this historic programme and witness the beginning of a new chapter in robotic surgery in Sri Lanka. As Founding President of the Association of Robotic and Innovative Surgeons (ARIS), India, I assure our Sri Lankan colleagues of our fullest support. We shall extend our teaching, training and academic programmes to help train as many Sri Lankan surgeons as possible and contribute to the safe and structured growth of robotic surgery in both the countries.”