Prof. Atula Sumathipala, founder of the Sri Lanka Twin Registry and one of the founding members of the Institute of Health and Social Research and Development in Health and Social Care, has been elected to the post of Secretary General of the International Association for Twin Research for the two years 2024-2025. Over 60 active twin research organizations and registries around the world are members of the association.

He was elected to the post at the 18th International Twin Research Congress held in Budapest, Hungary from June 15 to 18 this year (2023). Under his leadership, the Sri Lankan Twin Registry has contributed a wealth of new knowledge to the field of scientific research.

Prof Adam Domonkos Tarnoki Emmelweis of the University of Budapest, Hungary was elected as the President of the Twin Society. He is a twin himself is a founding member of the Hungarian Twin Registry. Prof Nicholas Martin was elected to the post of treasurer. He is a human geneticist and founded the Australian Twin Registry. He is also the Editor of the journal of Twin and Genetic Research.

Another six leading twin researchers were elected to the council; Prof Nancy L. Segal is an American evolutionary psychologist and behavioral geneticist, specializing in the study of twins. She is the Professor of Developmental Psychology and Director of the Twin Studies Center, at the California State University, Asma Khalil is a Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine at St George’s University Hospital (University of London), Prof Jeffery Craig, Professor in Epigenetics and Cell Biology at Deakin University, Melbourne Australia, Prof Petra Zwijnenburg.

Medical Specialist, Human genetics; Medical Specialist, ACS – Atherosclerosis & ischemic syndromes; Medical Specialist in Reproduction Medicine, Monica Rankin (She/Her), Chairperson, International Council of Multiple Birth Organisations, Melbourne Australia.It has also been decided to hold the International Twin Research Congress in 2025 in Sri Lanka.