Sri Lanka was one of the first countries in the world to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Contro (FCTC). • FCTC Project: Sri Lanka was one of 15 countries selected for the WHO FCTC Project, leading to several significant activities and policy changes. • Ban on Smokeless Tobacco: NATA issued a Gazette notification banning the import, distribution, and sale of all forms of smokeless tobacco in Sri Lanka in 2016, including ENDS. Through the achievements listed above, and countless others, Dr Abeykoon’s efforts significantly contributed to the drop in cigarette sales in Sri Lanka by approximately 15% during his tenure at NATA. Dr Abeykoon was instrumental in obtaining support from WHO to establish the Centre for Combating Tobacco, the WHO-affiliated tobacco industry observatory in the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
