The 'Second Medical School' of Sri Lanka was established in the enchanting surroundings of the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya in 1962. When the first batch of students entered the new medical school in January 1962 only the hastily constructed pre-clinical block was complete. The para-clinical buildings were completed in 1963 and the department of Parasitology was housed in the west end of the building complex behind the canteen. Prof.V.Sivalingam, retired Professor of Parasitology of the Colombo Medical School came over to head the fledgling department. He had the distinction of being the first Professor of Parasitology of the University of Ceylon. Drs.Pathmadevi Nelson, Brandon Gunaratne and Bingumal Manawadu amply supported him. All three of them were trained at the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene of the University of London. All three of them received the Diploma in Applied Parasitology (DAPH) and PhD from the University of London. The technical staff the new department consisted of Mr. Romaldo Jayasuriya, Mr.Bandarawatta and Mr.Mawilmada with Mr.Witharana and Mr.Amarasinghe as the attendants.
Prof.Sivalingam using the chalkboard conducted all the lectures. The pathologist of the Teaching Hospital, Kandy, Dr Nanda Prematillake took part in the practical classes until the mid-seventies. This practice ensured the regular supply of clinical material and specimens for the classes. A massive research project on simian malaria was initiated by Dr.Nelson that resulted in the identification of new parasite species and several publications. Dr Gunaratne carried out pioneering research on filariasis and lymphography while Dr Manawadu conducted original research on saurian malaria.

Past Academics