Since 1984, the Sri Lankan Cleft Lip and Palate Project has developed a large surgical and research program collecting records on over 500 subjects with unrepaired cleft lip and palate. In addition, 410 operations were performed by team members. This paper presents the history, development, and aims of the Project and will be followed by individual reports on facial growth and morphology, speech, surgical and anesthetic aspects, and the otologic significance of cleft palate In this issue and subsequent ones.
