Specialist care for liver transplantation, liver cancer and complex conditions of the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder — led by Prof. Thamara Perera, an internationally experienced and extensively published hepatobiliary and HPB surgeon at Kings Hospital Colombo.
Whether you are noticing symptoms, already have a diagnosis, have been advised to consider surgery or need a specialist opinion, choose the pathway that best matches where you are now.
Understand possible liver disease symptoms and when specialist medical assessment may be needed.
Explore symptoms 02Learn about liver, pancreatic, bile duct and gallbladder conditions and the next questions to ask.
Explore conditions 03Explore liver transplantation, liver cancer surgery and hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery in Sri Lanka.
Explore treatments 04Book a consultation with a liver and HPB specialist at Kings Hospital Colombo.
Book a consultationExplore specialist liver surgery in Sri Lanka, including liver transplantation, liver cancer surgery and hepatobiliary-pancreatic (HPB) surgery involving the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder.
Assessment and surgical care for patients being considered for living donor or deceased donor liver transplantation.
Explore transplant careSurgical assessment for liver cancer, secondary liver tumours and selected complex liver lesions.
Understand treatment optionsAn HPB surgeon specialises in complex surgery of the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder. Treatment is planned through clinical assessment and multidisciplinary review.
Explore HPB surgerySpecialist assessment and surgery for selected pancreatic tumours, cysts and other complex pancreatic conditions.
Explore pancreatic surgeryCare for gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, bile duct obstruction and selected gallbladder or bile duct tumours.
View gallbladder careLaparoscopic and minimally invasive approaches may be considered where they are clinically appropriate for the patient.
Learn about keyhole surgeryMany types of liver disease cause few or no symptoms in the early stages. Possible liver disease symptoms include persistent fatigue, loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss, nausea, itching, jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, and swelling or discomfort in the abdomen. These symptoms can have many causes and require medical assessment rather than self-diagnosis.
Prof. Thamara Perera is an internationally experienced and extensively published liver transplant and hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgeon, specialising in complex surgery of the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder. At Kings Hospital Colombo, he provides specialist assessment and surgical care for patients in Sri Lanka and overseas.
His clinical experience includes senior liver transplant appointments in the United Kingdom, specialist training in Japan and academic work spanning transplantation, liver cancer and complex HPB surgery.
Some liver conditions are identified through blood tests or scans before a person feels unwell. Timely assessment can clarify the cause and stage of liver disease and whether monitoring, medical treatment, interventional care or liver surgery should be considered.
Earlier-stage disease can sometimes allow a wider range of medical, radiological or surgical approaches.
Investigations can reveal bile duct obstruction, reduced liver function, portal hypertension or other concerns that need attention.
A defined diagnosis and treatment pathway helps patients understand the next step and prepare for care.
Complex liver and HPB surgery in Sri Lanka requires coordinated assessment, advanced diagnostics, anaesthesia, critical care, radiology, laboratory support, rehabilitation and long-term follow-up. Kings Hospital Colombo brings these services together around the patient pathway.
A modern multi-specialty hospital environment supporting complex surgery, imaging, laboratory testing and post-operative care.
Complex cases can be reviewed with relevant specialists to build an individual treatment plan.
Dedicated coordination for donor and recipient assessment, surgery, recovery and follow-up.
Access to laboratory services, radiology, critical care, pharmacy, physiotherapy and other hospital services needed around complex surgery.
Prof. Perera was part of the Birmingham team behind the first reported human liver transplant using a marginal donor liver resuscitated through normothermic machine perfusion after an initial period of cold storage.
Explore his liver transplant research, machine perfusion work and wider HPB research contributions, with clear explanations of how surgical research can inform clinical practice in Sri Lanka and internationally.
Every pathway is individual. These liver patient resources explain the usual stages from consultation and diagnosis to treatment planning, surgery, recovery and follow-up.
Discuss symptoms, diagnosis, previous treatment and concerns.
Review blood tests, imaging and further investigations where needed.
Understand recommended options, benefits, risks and alternatives.
Proceed with the agreed operation and peri-operative care plan.
Hospital care, mobilisation, nutrition and discharge preparation.
Ongoing review, wound care, tests and long-term guidance.
Approved stories can help patients and families understand the care journey. Every story should be published only with written consent and without suggesting that outcomes are guaranteed.
Use the patient’s own experience to explain diagnosis, preparation, surgery, recovery and follow-up.
Read patient storiesFocus on the questions the patient had, how options were explained and what supported recovery.
Read patient storiesExplain the multidisciplinary pathway and the practical support provided before and after surgery.
Read patient storiesEvery patient journey is different. Patient stories are shared for awareness and education, and individual outcomes may vary.
Read clear updates on liver disease symptoms, liver surgery, transplantation, HPB care, research and practical preparation for specialist consultations.
A patient-friendly guide to referral, assessment and the factors considered by a transplant team.
Read articleUnderstand how tumour stage, location, liver function and overall health may influence treatment.
Read articleWhy yellowing of the eyes or skin needs medical assessment and what tests may be recommended.
Read articleInterviews, liver health news, public education, expert commentary and media coverage relating to liver disease, liver surgery and transplantation in Sri Lanka.
Patients living overseas can contact the clinic team for guidance on sharing medical records, scans and previous treatment information before planning travel for specialist liver or HPB care in Sri Lanka. The team can explain the consultation pathway, hospital coordination and documents usually required.
Concise, clinically focused answers help patients and referring doctors understand symptoms, specialist roles, appointments and referral pathways. Final medical copy should be reviewed before publication.
An HPB surgeon is a hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgeon who specialises in complex conditions and surgery involving the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder. HPB surgeons may manage cancers, bile duct obstruction, pancreatic conditions, gallbladder disease and selected transplant-related cases.
Liver disease may cause no obvious symptoms early. Possible symptoms include persistent tiredness, loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss, nausea, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, and swelling or discomfort in the abdomen. These symptoms can have different causes and should be assessed by a doctor.
A hepatobiliary surgeon may be consulted when scans or tests identify a liver tumour, bile duct obstruction, complicated gallstones, a pancreatic tumour or cyst, or another condition that may require complex liver or HPB surgery. A referral from your treating doctor can help provide the relevant clinical information.
You can request a consultation with Prof. Thamara Perera at Kings Hospital Colombo through the Liver.lk appointment form or by contacting Kings Hospital. The clinic team will advise which reports, scans and previous treatment records to bring.
Referring doctors can use the Liver.lk doctor referral pathway and share the patient’s clinical summary, recent blood tests, imaging reports and images, pathology or endoscopy reports, and details of previous treatment. The clinic team can advise on the next suitable appointment or review pathway.
Request a consultation with Prof. Thamara Perera at Kings Hospital Colombo for a new diagnosis, abnormal scan, ongoing liver condition, liver cancer, transplant assessment or a second opinion on complex liver or HPB surgery.
Book a Liver Surgeon Appointment