MBBS, FRANZCP, Adv. Cert. Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Dr Lakmali Edirimanne will be offering telehealth consultations from April and in‑person appointments from May 2026.
Dr Lakmali Edirimanne is an experienced child and adolescent psychiatrist with extensive expertise across NSW public health services and private psychiatric settings. She has worked in a wide range of complex clinical environments, supporting young people with emotional, behavioural, developmental, and mental health challenges.
Her background includes significant contributions to public hospital community child and adolescent mental health services, where she developed a deep understanding of the complexities faced by young people and their families. In private practice, she has supported children and adolescents with presentations ranging from mild emotional difficulties to severe and complex psychiatric conditions.
Dr Lakmali Edirimanne is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with a deep commitment to understanding how a developing brain interacts with its environment. Her work focuses on how this dynamic relationship shapes a young person’s developmental trajectory, identity formation, emotional wellbeing, and long‑term mental health.
Dr Edirimanne recognises that the interplay between brain development and life experiences can contribute to a wide range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), self‑harm, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, and complex mind–body conditions.
Her approach is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and a commitment to understanding each young person’s unique developmental journey. She works to empower children and adolescents who may be struggling with significant obstacles in their daily lives, helping them build resilience, confidence, and a stronger sense of wellbeing.
Dr Edirimanne places strong emphasis on the developmental environment – particularly the role of early attachment relationships, co‑regulation with caregivers, and the emotional climate surrounding a child. She understands the complexities young people face as they navigate:
Dr Edirimanne’s clinical work is guided by a belief that early, thoughtful, and collaborative intervention can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. She partners closely with families, schools, and other professionals to ensure that each child receives comprehensive, coordinated, and compassionate care.
Her goal is to help young people navigate challenges with greater clarity and support, and to foster the conditions that allow them to grow into healthy, confident, and fulfilled adults.
A core focus of Dr Edirimanne’s work is early intervention. She is committed to preventing the escalation of mental health difficulties by identifying concerns early and supporting children, adolescents, and families before patterns become entrenched. Her approach integrates all systems involved in a child’s life – home, school, and community – to reduce trauma exposure and promote healthy developmental experiences to prevent mental illness and personality dysfunction in adulthood.
Dr Edirimanne provides comprehensive assessment and treatment of a wide range of mental health conditions including
Dr Edirimanne has extensive experience supporting children and adolescents affected by:
She works collaboratively with parents, caregivers, schools, and other professionals to create a consistent, supportive network around each young person. Her goal is to ensure that every child has access to enriching, protective experiences that foster resilience and healthy development.
Dr Edirimanne is passionate about neurodiversity and provides specialised care for young people with:
She has a particular interest in female autism, recognising that autistic girls and women often mask their traits to cope with social expectations. This masking can lead to exhaustion, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and physical health issues. She is dedicated to improving early recognition and reducing misdiagnosis, especially in adolescents who may otherwise be labelled with conditions such as borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder.
She emphasises that when neurodivergence is unrecognised or unsupported, children may experience harmful developmental environments that increase the risk of personality disorders and significant mental health difficulties in adulthood.
Dr Edirimanne has a strong interest in the intersection between mental and physical health. She provides integrative care for mind–body health in following conditions:
She recognises how stress, trauma, neurodevelopment, and physiology interact, and she supports families in understanding these complex mind–body connections.
Dr Edirimanne is also dedicated to perinatal psychiatry, supporting mothers during pregnancy and the postnatal period. She understands how this sensitive stage shapes early attachment, maternal wellbeing, and the foundations of a child’s emotional and social development.
Dr Edirimanne consults in English and Sinhalese, supporting culturally diverse families across Sydney.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr Edirimanne enjoys gardening and spending time in nature, tending to her flower beds and vegetable patch. She is a devoted mother to her children and her two dogs – a Labrador and a Shih Tzu. Furry companions are welcome in her clinic, reflecting her warm, family‑centred approach.
Call 02 9030 2185