In 2025, recognizing RDCID as a key partner institution in Sri Lanka, the HYC (Prof. Christopher Woods and Dr. Tim Veldman) generously offered to develop a new office and state-of-the-art molecular laboratory on the 5th floor of the new 12-story building of FOM. Following a request made by Co-Directors/ RDCID (Prof. C. K. Bodinayake and Prof. Gayani Tillekeratne), approvals were granted by the Senate of the University of Ruhuna to implement the establishment. The project is currently managed by the members from HYC, Duke, and RDCID (Dr. Tim Veldman, Prof. Gayani Tillekerathne, Dr. Bradly Nicolson, Mr. Jack Anderson, Dr. Ruvini Kurukulasooriya, and Ms. Anuththara Kariyawasam).

The proposed state-of-the-art molecular laboratory will significantly enhance the faculty’s capacity to conduct advanced molecular and microbiological research, facilitate both national and international research collaboration, and support postgraduate training and capacity building for students, early-career scientists, and clinicians. It will contribute to strengthening national laboratory capacity to address emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and other priority public health challenges in Sri Lanka, and will partner with clinicians and the Ministry of Health to disseminate the generated, locally relevant data. It could potentially develop as a reference laboratory in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka for high-quality research, training, and and clinical and public health activities aligned with national and global health priorities.