The Gampaha Wickramarachchi Institute, which had been affiliated with the University of Kelaniya, was elevated to university status in 2021.[1] The decision has been described by some commentators as primarily political rather than based on long-term planning or infrastructure development.[2]
In addition to programs in Ayurveda and Indigenous medicine, the university has introduced new degree programs in fields such as biomedical technology, health information and communication technology, and management.[3][4] These expansions have drawn criticism from academic reviewers, who argue that such programs fall outside the scope of Indigenous medicine and may affect the recognition of the degrees. A five-member expert committee, including representatives of the University Grants Commission (UGC), reportedly recommended that the programs be transferred to more appropriate universities.[5]
History
In 1929, Ayurveda Cakrawarti Pandit G.P. Wickramarachchi established the Gampaha Sidayurveda Vidyalaya as a center for learning the Sidhayurveda tradition of medicine. Initially located on his personal land in Yakkala, the institute aimed to impart knowledge and expertise in herbal drug preparation and traditional medical practices to physicians. It boasted a drug manufacturing unit, hospital facilities, and a herbal garden with a rare collection of plants at its inception.[6]
Recognizing the evolving landscape of Ayurvedic medicine and its significant contributions to the national health sector, the vidyalaya attained state recognition in 1951. This recognition enabled its diploma holders to serve in state-sector Ayurvedic hospitals. In 1982, the Vidyalaya was reconstituted as the Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute under the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine through Parliamentary Act No. 30 of 1982. In 1995, it was elevated to university status.[6]
Since 2021, following its upgrade to a university through a political decision, the Gampaha Wickramarachchi Institute has expanded its curriculum to include not only indigenous medicine but also modern medicine, technology, management, and other disciplines, as outlined in the Sri Lanka University Grants Commission handbook. However, this expansion has reportedly occurred without adequate facilities, proper division of faculties, or appropriate planning for the new degree programs.
Academics
The institute's academic staff is allocated to the five academic departments based on their specialization and teaching expertise as below;
Department of Chikitsa
Department of Ayurveda Basic Principles
Department of Dravyaguna
Department of Kaumarabruthya & Stree Roga
Department of Shalya Shalakya
Undergraduate programs
The Gampaha Wickramarachchi University offers:
A Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery degree. This is a six-year course including one-year internship training in state hospitals.
The Bachelor’s degrees in technology-related fields, such as Biomedical Technology and Health information technology, are currently in high demand due to their relevance in modern healthcare and industry. However, according to expert committee assessments, the current facilities and infrastructure at Gampaha Wickramarachchi University are not suitable to effectively deliver these programs. Experts have recommended that such degrees be transferred to a more appropriate university with the necessary resources and faculty. Despite these findings, the government and relevant authorities have remained silent, and no action has been taken to address the issue.
A Bachelor of Health Science Honours in Biomedical Technology degree program that teaches skills to work in the biomedical technology field in modern medicine.[8]
A Bachelor of Health Science Honours in Health Information And Communication Technology degree program that teaches skills to Work in ICT Field And healthcare industry .[9]
Postgraduate programs
The Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute offers following postgraduate diplomas and master's degrees across disciplines in Kayacikitsa, Panchakarma and management and administration of Ayurveda institutions.[10]
Postgraduate diplomas
Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Administration of Ayurveda Institutions
Master's degrees
Master of Science in Kāyacikitsā
Master of Science in Pañcakarma
Master of Science in Management and Administration of Ayurveda Institutions
Other programs
Diploma In Yoga And Relaxation (DYR)
Diploma in Ayurveda Pharmaceuticals
Certificate Course in Yoga and Relaxation Techniques(CCYR)
Certificate Course in Ayurveda Beauty Culture
Certificate Course in Ultrasound Scanning
Ministry of Education (Sri Lanka)
The Bachelor of Health Science Honours in Biomedical Technology is a highly demanded degree program, as it combines modern medicine with advanced technology to support healthcare innovation. Graduates in this field are crucial for maintaining medical equipment, driving research, and implementing technological solutions that directly improve patient care.
However, the current university offering this program is not suitable to deliver it effectively. The institution lacks the necessary facilities, expertise, and infrastructure to meet the academic and professional standards required for a program of this importance.
As highlighted by the Education Ministry and the expert committee, Biomedical Technology is a modern medicine and technology–oriented discipline, with no relation to Ayurveda or indigenous medicine. Therefore, the recommendation is that this program should be absorbed into a more appropriate university—one that can ensure quality education, proper resources, and alignment with national healthcare priorities.
Gampaha Wickramarachchi Sidhayurveda Medical College establish in 1929 by Pandit G.P Wickramarachchi with the aims of improving Ayurveda Medicine and provided treated freely. In 1984 it was upgraded to the hospital and on 27 February 2008. it was affiliated by the Department of Ayurveda. At present this hospital has four wards that can accommodate 120 patients. In addition there is an out patients department and a pharmacy. This Ayurveda Teaching hospital provides Teaching and training facilities to undergraduate Medical student of the Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute.[11]
1 2 3 "History". The Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute. University of Kelaniya. Archived from the original on 21 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
↑ "Masters Degrees". The Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute. University of Kelaniya. Archived from the original on 21 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
