The Centre for Research in Oral Cancer (CROC) at the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya was established to facilitate research in all aspects of oral cancer. The Centre works very closely with the National Cancer Control Programme of Sri Lanka. In order to reduce the burden of oral cancer in the country, CROC has a short-term and long-term strategic plan. We hope to improve the awareness about the harmful effects of the habit, smokeless tobacco and arecanut among relevant health professionals, policy makers and more importantly the public of Sri Lanka. This would lay a platform for us to work on bringing new legislations necessary to restrict these products.

Research in the field of oral cancer is completely inadequate for a country which ranks this malignancy as number one. Therefore, CROC plans to introduce new research in the area of oral cancer and precancer with multinational collaborations. That will promote postgraduate opportunities for many students. We hope to update our clinicians who treat oral cancer with regards to various aspects of the disease from diagnosis to treatment with the new knowledge gained through research using our patients.