Overview

The University of Peradeniya is heir to the oldest university tradition in Sri Lanka as the successor to the University of Ceylon..

The faculty of medicine at peradeniya was opened in 1962 as the second medical school in the country to meet the increasing demand for medical education. At present the Faculty has 150 academic staff members and 180 non academic staff. There are 15 departments of study and six units. Each year 195 local students and 12 overseas students are enrolled in the five year MBBS curriculum

Brief History of the Faculty

The faculty of medicine at peradeniya registered its first group of students on 04/01/1962. Initially it functioned as an appandage of the faculty of medicine in Colombo

In 1967 it became autonomous, electing its own dean. For a period between 1970 to 1980 the Dental & Vet nary schools of the University of Peradeniya was brought under an umbrella organization called the Faculty of Medical Dental and Vetinery Sciences. By 1980 these schools had again become autonomous. During the period 1972-81 the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya was build and commissioned. Between 2000-2004 the new Preclinical building was built & commissioned. A new paraclinical building is under construction.

The Faculty & Affiliated Hospitals

At present, approximately a thousand students comprising six batches are receiving training at the Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya. The students receive their clinical training at the following hospitals:
1. Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya: a 700-bed
    hospital, situated within walking distance of 
    the Faculty of Medicine. This was built in 
    1980 and has as the Professorial Units of the university
2. Teaching Hospital, Kandy: a 1350-bed
    hospital,situated in Kandy, about 6 km away
    from the Faculty of Medicine
3. Teaching Hospital, Kegalle
4. Teaching Hospital, Gampola
5. Base Hospital Mawanella
6. STD Clinic, District Hospital, Katugastota

Field Practice Area

The Dept of Community Medicine has a rural field practice area known as the "Hindagala Community Health Project" located just outside the campus, covering 62 square kilometers, with a population of 20,000. The health care services to this population are administered and provided by this department in conjunction with the government department of health services. It serves as the 'field laboratory' for the practical training of students and for research.

List of Deans
Professor Senaka Bibile (1967-1969)
Professor George E.Tennakoon (1969-1970)
Professor Ananda D.P Jayatilake (1970-1972)
Professor Bennet A Jayaweera (1972-1975)
Professor Harischandra Ranasinghe (1975)
Professor Ralph G. Panabokke (1975-1981)
Professor Malcolm Fernando (1981-1984)
Professor Valentine Basnayake (1984-1986)
Professor Malcolm Fernando (1986-1994)
Professor Nimal Senanayake (1994-1999)
Professor Malini Udupihille (1999-2002)
Professor Ananda Wijekoon (2002-to 2005)
Professor Chula Goonasekara
Professor Indrajee. Amarasinghe