Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute
University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka.
Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute is affiliated to the University of Kelaniya. It is one of the two University institutes of Ayurveda education in Sri Lanka.
The Institute is located in a land of nearly 10 acres, just 30 km away from the Colombo city, in Yakkala.
The Institute has its origin in the well-known Gampaha Sidayurveda Vidyalaya founded by Ayurveda Pandit G.P. Wickramarachchi in 1929, as the centre of learning Siddayurveda tradition of medicine. The Siddayurveda Vidyalaya was set up by Pandit Wickramarachchi in his personal land, in response to the demand in the then society for a fully –fledged learning centre to provide the traditional physician with the knowledge and competence in herbal drug preparation and indigenous chikitsa.
From its very inception, the institute has a number of resources including Herbal Gardens with a collection of rare herbal plants, Drug Manufacturing Unit and a Hospital.
In recognition of its tremendous contribution into national health sector , the Vidyalaya was declared as a state recognized institute in 1951, making its diploma holders eligible for obtaining appointments in state sector Ayurveda hospitals. In 1961, the Diploma certificate of the Sidayurveda Vidyalaya was recognized by the Ayurveda Medical Council.
In 1995, it was raised to the status of a University institute. It currently conducts the Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree, a six year course which includes one year internship training in a state hospital.
In addition to this undergraduate course, the institute has recently embarked on a number of progressive steps, promoting Ayurvedic research at University level.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Hospital Management course conducted by the Institute provides opportunity for Ayurveda graduates to upgrade their administrative capabilities.
The annual Ayurveda Symposium organized by the Research Unit of the Institute provides the Ayurvedic scholars a platform for dissemination of knowledge generated through Ayurvedic research.
The journal of the institute, GWAI, issued quarterly is the first such journal published by a Sri Lankan University, which consists of only research papers of Ayurvedic scholars.
Thus in keeping with its vision, to be the centre of excellence in Ayurveda education and research in South Asia, the Institute with a proud history of over 77 years continues in its endeavor to meet the challenge of maintaining its unique position in the University system.
