Traditional Medicine policy
Ministry of Health
The Ayurveda Act No. 31 of 1961 provided a legal framework for indigenous medicine in Sri Lanka. However,
so far, no written statement has been made directly indicating the policy direction of the government in the field
of Traditional medicine and no clear statement of representation of the Traditional Medicine system in national
policy can be identified.
In present scenario, it has been recognized that some issues have arisen regarding safety, effectiveness and quality
when practicing Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Sri Lankan traditional medicine.
Therefore, policy makers have recognized that a comprehensive Traditional Medicine policy is essential for the
country to overcome the current challenges of service delivery and preservation within the national health stream.
Under these circumstances, if Sri Lanka develops a Traditional Medicine policy, it is hoped that the
aforementioned shortcomings will be rectified with a view to ensuring that the traditional medicine system in the
country is headed in the right path way. Based on this, a policy is developed to fill the identified gaps and the
Ayurveda medical practices will gain additional legal recognition.
Accordingly, Sri Lanka has begun to draft a policy regarding traditional medicine which is carried out by three
committees: the Coordinating Committee, the Policy Drafting Committee, and the Steering Committee. The
technical and financial support provided by various Organizations including WHO.
In order for the work to be done effectively, there must be a general policy direction for coordinating the
aforementioned activities, In addition, the policy will directly help to provide universal health coverage to all
citizens, high-quality people-centered service in primary health care (PHC) through the traditional medicine
system, Apart from that, this policy will directly contributes to provide excellent service through the traditional
medical system by integrating health services including patient care services with the existing national health
policy in the country.
I respectfully invite you to submit your comments and suggestions through the given format within 14 days to
the e-mail given below
Commissioner of Ayurveda,
Department of Ayurveda
Nawinna, Maharagama.
e-mail – tmpolicy02@gmail.com
23. 11. 2022
STAKEHOLDERS GROUPS – TM policy
Policy drafting committee will hope to discuss and collaborate with the following stakeholders in Sri-Lanka in
coordination with the Policy coordinating committee
Supportive Information
1. Service Delivery to improve health and wellbeing of people thereby socio-economic status of the population:
This area covers following areas considering problems in the sector in terms of ;
- availability and affordability of TM &CM, with an emphasis on access for all populations.
- safety, efficacy and quality of TM & CM (by expanding the knowledge base, and providing guidance on regulatory and quality assurance
standards). - strengthen the quality assurance, safety, proper use and effectiveness of TM&CM (by regulating products, practices and practitioners/
institutions. )
2. Managing Health Systems Resources for efficient and effective service delivery
This area covers following areas considering problems in the sector in terms of ;
- Efficient management of human resources.
o. Education and training, skills development, services and therapies
o. Education and training of TM&CM practitioners
o. Research and development
o. Promotion schemes /Appointment process.
- Efficient management of Physical resources.
- Medicines and health supplies/ protect the intellectual property rights of indigenous people.
- Health administration / management system.
o. Health Management Information System.
- Leadership and governance.
