The Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya pioneered the recruitment of Anaesthetists to its academic cadre in 1977 to fulfil the clinical and teaching needs associated with this novel specialty. Anaesthesiology by this time had emerged as a very important and major service facet in several branches of medicine, especially in the fields of surgery, critical care and emergency medicine. The need for multidisciplinary care of the patient was well established in medical practice. As a specialty Anaesthesia provided one of the most useful and practical links in care situations. The expanding role of anaesthesia and critical care in operating theatres, intensive and special care units, and cardiac resuscitation services and in the relief of acute and chronic pain virtually established the indispensability of this specialty.

The Department of Anaesthesiology was established as the 15th Department of the Faculty of Medicine in the year 1987. By establishing the department, the discipline of Anaesthesia has led to the introduction of newer attitudes and concepts to patient care and teaching at tertiary level hospital

It was the first Department dedicated for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care trainings, services and researches in the national network of universities.

The goal of the department is to offer the best possible standards of teaching, research and clinical services in the area of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Emergency medicine with in a framework of limited resources