President, PM attend launch of Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute into a fully-fledged University

• 7 new academic programs
• 350 students to be enrolled in 2021

The ceremony to mark the official launch of Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute into a fully-fledged University was held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at the BMICH yesterday.

In 1929, Ayurveda Cakrawarti Pandith G.P. Wickramarachchi established the Gampaha Sidhayurveda Vidyalaya as a centre of learning for the Sidhayurveda system of medicine. The first batch consisted of 20 students.

In 1995, it was elevated to the status of a university campus, affiliated to the University of Kelaniya.

With the mission of becoming a centre of excellence in indigenous medicine studies in South Asia, the institute has been launched as the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka, with effect from 1 March.

This will be the 16th National University of Sri Lanka. Its new academic structure will offer seven new academic programs. A total of 350 students will be enrolled for 2021 with each batch consisting of 50 students. Entrants to the university will be selected based on the G.C.E (A/L) examinations held in 2020.

During the event, President Rajapaksa launched the website of the university and signed the guest book. In parallel to the official inauguration of the university, its official logo, flag and song were also launched.  

President Rajapaksa presented the ‘Vijini Patha’ to the Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayaka Thero of the Malwaththa Chapter, the first Chancellor of the University.

Vice Chancellor of the University Senior Professor Janitha A. Liyanage presented mementos to the President, Prime Minister and the Minister of Education.

The Maha Sangha, other religious dignitaries, ministers Prof. G.L. Peiris and Sarath Weerasekara, State ministers Seetha Arambepola, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Sisira Jayakody, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army General Shavendra Siva, Chairman of the University Grants Commission Prof. Sampath Amaratunge, and chancellors and vice chancellors of universities and professors were present on the occasion.