Tissa Wijeratne

Tissa Wijeratne is a Sri Lankan and Australian neurologist, author, academic, researcher, advocate and one of the founders of World Brain Day.

He was interested in politics from a young age (He delivered the opening speech at the final rally of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, in front of the world first female prime minister,[5] Late Mrs Sirimawo Bandaranayake Sirimavo Bandaranaike as a primary school student to a standing ovation in 1977 1977 Sri Lankan parliamentary election).

[6] As he grew up knowing biology and life sciences at the Bandarawela Central College, he became interested medicine,[7][circular reference][8] and was accepted by the University of Peradeniya, which was interrupted during the 1987-1989 JVP insurrection.

He published over 3000 segments in print media covering brain conditions, agriculture, global warming with a huge fan base across Sri Lanka at that time and went on to win the President's award as the best youth national spokes person in 1989.

Wijeratne had to re-train in internal medicine and successfully completed his neurology advanced training in number of world class centres across New Zealand and Australia.

He met Professor Robert Helme for the first time in late 2004 with an agreement to set up the stroke services as a rising star in neurology in 2004 at the Footscray Hospital, Western Health.

[37] Advising to Science Direct, Wijeratne is Australia's leading academic publisher on migraine and headache disorders, COVID-19 and Brain Involvement, and Long COVID.

[39][40] Wijeratne became the only medical student ever to win the President's award as the best All Island Youth Announcer in 1989 with immediate job offer to train as a full time broadcast media personal at the Belwood TV Village, Nugaliyadda, Kandy, Sri Lanka in 1989.

Wijeratne became the first Australian/Sri Lankan neurologist to be graduated from award winning Donald M Pallatuci advocacy program, American Academy of Neurology in 2008.

[44] 2019 Wijeratne became the first Australian physician to be the winner of the PRISCILLA KINCAID-SMITH AWARD Recognising outstanding achievement of a senior doctor who has undertaken pioneering work in medical practice, education or research, preventative health or patient advocacy.