Sri Lanka celebrated the 9th Ayurveda Day in Colombo on November 1, 2024, with a distinguished event held at the New Arts Theatre of the University of Colombo. The High Commissioner of India, H.E. Santosh Jha, formally inaugurated the day’s proceedings, joined by Prof. H.D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo. Also in attendance were Prof. Pathirage Kamal Perera, Dean of the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, academic staff from the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, and Prof. Ankuran Dutta, Director of the Indian Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka, along with several other university members.
This year’s event was organized by the Indian Cultural Centre in collaboration with the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, and supported by the Department of Ayurveda, Government of Sri Lanka, Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, and the Faculty of Siddha Medicine, Eastern University, Trincomalee Campus. This marks the second consecutive year of the collaborative celebration.
This year’s event was organized by the Indian Cultural Centre in collaboration with the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, and supported by the Department of Ayurveda, Government of Sri Lanka, Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, and the Faculty of Siddha Medicine, Eastern University, Trincomalee Campus. This marks the second consecutive year of the collaborative celebration.
During his inaugural speech, High Commissioner Jha highlighted the significance of Ayurveda as a vital cultural bridge between India and Sri Lanka. He noted that rooted in ancient Indian wisdom, Ayurveda was introduced to Sri Lanka thousands of years ago, where it integrated with local indigenous knowledge, forming a distinct yet closely interconnected tradition. Both nations share a deep reverence for Ayurveda’s principles, which emphasize balance, natural remedies, and personalized healthcare. Over 300 scholars, practitioners, and students from various universities and institutions attended the event, underscoring the growing interest in Ayurveda’s holistic approach to wellness.
Ayurveda Day is officially observed every year on the auspicious occasion of Dhanwantari Jayanti (Dhanteras), celebrated since 2016. The theme for the 9th Ayurveda Day, “Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health,” reflects the blending of ancient Ayurvedic practices with modern scientific innovations to promote sustainable and holistic health solutions worldwide.
As part of the celebrations, two eminent Sri Lankan Ayurveda scholars—Senior Prof. Sarath Gamini Ranasingha and Emeritus Prof. (Mrs) E.R.H.S.S. Ediriweera—were honored for their lifelong contributions to the field of Ayurveda in Sri Lanka. Additionally, winners of various competitions related to Ayurveda were recognized and awarded medals and book vouchers for their achievements
