The Department of Microbiology was established in 1962 as the Department of Bacteriology under the Headship of Prof Chapman, Head of Department at the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo. Very soon after, in 1963, the department became independent with Prof (then Dr) S.N. Arsecularatne transferred from the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo to join the permanent staff of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ceylon, Peradeniya.

From its inception, our department has been dedicated to maintaining high standards in medical education, research, and diagnostic services. We provide rigorous, high-quality training in bacteriology, virology, mycology, and clinical microbiology. Our programs serve undergraduate Medical, Medical Laboratory Science, and Science (Microbiology sp.) students, alongside postgraduate trainees in both hospital-based Clinical Microbiology (MD training) as well as research degrees (MPhil and PhD). Through focused coursework and practical laboratory training, we ensure our students acquire the essential skills needed to diagnose and manage infectious diseases, practice rational antimicrobial use, and enforce strict infection control. We also place an emphasis on laboratory safety, biosafety and good laboratory practices for all students who undergo laboratory training with us.

Beyond teaching, we conduct research on key public health issues, including antimicrobial resistance and emerging infections. Dedicated research laboratories for virology, zoonotic diseases, antibiotic resistance research, with facilities for molecular experiments, as well as clinical microbiology including mycology and mycobacteriology, provide staff, students and trainees of all levels in laboratory work with an excellent range of areas to work and train in. For more information on research being carried out, see individual staff profiles.

Clinical Microbiologist on-staff serve as honorary Consultant Microbiologists at the Teaching hospital Peradeniya, providing supervision of clinical microbiology laboratory services, infectious disease management and infection prevention and control (IPC).

We invite you to explore our webpage to learn more about our academic programs, research activities, diagnostic services offered, training programmes and outreach activities.

Head of Department
Department of Microbiology
Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya