Medical Faculty founded by an individual
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| Pandit Wickremarachchi |
Going along the Colombo-Kandy road passing the Yakkala junction one cannot miss an institute referred to by everyone as the 'Gampaha Siddhayurveda Vidyalaya' (Gampaha being the closest town). It is also popularly known as 'Wickremarachchi Ayurveda Vidyalaya' using the name of the founder, Pandit G. P. Wickremarachchi. It has been in existence for 78 years having been established on July 19, 1929.
The service of this institution through the traditional system of indigenous medicine has been enormous. It was the effort of this single individual, Pandit Wickremarachchi that made it a renowned school of Ayurveda. The native physicians trained by this institute have set up their practice throughout the island, each one being referred to as 'Gampaha Veda Mahattaya' identifying him from the others in the area.
Pandit Wickremarachchi (1889 - 1975) studied oriental linguistics and indigenous medicine at the Vidyodya Pirivena, Maligakanda where he obtained an honours pass in the Oriental Pundit Degree. Joining the Ashtanga (eight-fold) Ayurvedic Medical College in Calcutta, he successfully completed the L. A. M. S. (Hons) degree. On his return he refashioned the indigenous system of medicine to suit the needs of the country, setting up the Gampaha Siddhayurveda Medical College – the first ever Medical Faculty in Sri Lanka founded by an individual.
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| Wickremarachchi Ayurveda Vidyalaya |
His deep understanding of Ayurveda and indigenous medicine and his broad Indian education helped him to make an invaluable contribution in easing the scarcity of medical personnel in the country, as well as improving national health care. From inception until 1966 this Institute of Medicine was entirely maintained by Pandit Wickremarachchi. In 1982 it was transformed into a State Institution by an Act of Parliament. In November 1988, the Government decided to upgrade it to university status where the students were able to follow a five- year course leading to a degree in Siddhayurveda (D. S. A. M. S).
Pandit Wickremrachchi rendered yeoman service as President of the All Ceylon Ayurveda Congress for many years. His service gained recognition when he became the first physician of indigenous medicine to be appointed to the Senate, the upper house. A simple individual, he never expected any honours for the services he rendered but was keen in rendering a silent service for the betterment of the masses. As Chairman of the village committee, (the then local institution at village level) he took an active interest in the development of agriculture and the textile industry. As Editor of 'Sinhala Bauddhaya,' he served to maintain the high standards of Sinhala language and literature.
Two commemorative stamps were released - one on May 22, 1984 acknowledging his service to the country and the other on December 14, 1989 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Vidyalaya. |
