Members of the veterinary profession in Sri Lanka have been discussing, over the past several decades, the need for establishing a “Professional College” in order to promote and facilitate the development of competencies in different clinical, production, management and other disciplines,as distinct from academic qualifications (e.g. MSc, MPhil or PhD), which are available through Universities. Such a College would be able to formalize Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and training activities for veterinarians, and enable them to obtain professional certification and clinical qualifications.

The first tangible steps towards this goal were taken in February 2009 when a meeting was arranged by the Sri Lanka Veterinary Association (SLVA), with the participation of senior veterinarians from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science (FVMAS) of the University of Peradeniya, the Ministry of Livestock Development, Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH), Society of Companion Animal Practitioners (SCAP) and others, to discuss this issue. The meeting included a presentation by a former President of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists, on the role, functions and benefits of a College for Veterinarians. The outcome was the formation of a “Working Group for the Establishment of a College of Veterinarians”, comprising senior veterinarians from the state and private sectors in Sri Lanka.

During the years 2009 to 2012 the Working Group held several meetings, studied the constitutions and activities of veterinary colleges in several countries, and drafted a Constitution that wasconsidered to be appropriate for a college in Sri Lanka. In 2013 the Working Group was reconstituted with additional representation and, with the assistance of a legal consultant, proceeded with further improvements to the Constitution to formulate the Articles of Association in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act of Sri Lanka. A set of draft By-laws was also prepared.

The Working Group convened a meeting on 14thJuly 2014 at the FVMAS for the purpose of formally establishing the Sri Lanka College of Veterinary Surgeons (SLCVS). This meeting was attended by over 35 members of the profession from a broad range of disciplines in the state and private sectors.The meeting elected the first Executive Council (Ex-Co) of the SLCVS and formally adopted the Articles of Association that had been drafted by the Working Group. Thereafter, the SLCVS was registered on 20thOctober 2014 as a Company Limited by Guarantee under the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007, with the Registration Number GA 2976.