Dr Mahesan Ganesan is a highly respected consultant psychiatrist with extensive experience and notable contributions to the mental health field in Sri Lanka. He holds an MBBS degree from the University of Colombo, followed by a Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Psychiatry, also from the University of Colombo. Dr. Ganesan recently retired from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) after a dedicated tenure of 10 years. Prior to his work at NIMH, he played a pivotal role in mental health initiatives in the conflict and tsunami-affected district of Batticaloa for nine years. During this time, he was the sole psychiatrist in the region and was instrumental in developing a pioneering community mental health service model. Dr. Ganesan's notable achievements include conceptualizing and establishing the Gender-based Violence Desk in Batticaloa district in 2005. He expanded this initiative by establishing similar services in five other hospitals in the Northern region of the country, significantly improving support for survivors of gender-based violence. In addition to his clinical and community work, Dr. Ganesan is actively involved in various organisations focused on building mental health capacity, human rights, and advocacy. He serves as a board member and facilitator for organisations such as Sammuttana, the Centre for Human Rights and Developments, and the Survivors Association. Dr. Ganesan is also involved in global initiatives by participating in the Global Initiative in Psychiatry (PGIP) and the Good Practice Group. Furthermore, Dr. Ganesan demonstrates his commitment to inclusive healthcare by being a patron of the Ampara Special Needs Network, reflecting his dedication to addressing the diverse needs of vulnerable populations. His multifaceted contributions have profoundly impacted mental health services, advocacy, and rights protection in Sri Lanka.