The Bandaranaike Memorial Ayurvedic Research Institute (BMARI) serves as a national center of excellence in medical research related to Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and other traditional and indigenous medical systems. BMARI is committed to enhancing the quality and ensuring the standards of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Traditional, and Indigenous (AUSTI) medicine research, grounded in the principles of medical and research ethics.

The ethics review process conducted by the Research Ethics Committee of BMARI (REC-BMARI) is carried out with due consideration of the unique complexities inherent in AUSTI research. The Committee recognizes the importance of respecting the fundamental philosophies and practices of these systems, while ensuring adherence to accepted medical, scientific, and ethical standards. This approach aims not only to strengthen AUSTI healthcare services but also to facilitate the responsible dissemination of knowledge to the wider medical, public health, and scientific communities.

In addition, REC-BMARI functions as an expert advisory body to guide AUSTI research. It provides professional opinions and ethical guidance in areas where researchers encounter methodological, regulatory, or ethical challenges specific to AUSTI-based clinical and related studies. The membership of REC-BMARI reflects a broad spectrum of expertise, encompassing diverse academic backgrounds and professional experience relevant to traditional medicine, clinical research, and ethics.

While acknowledging the distinct features and complexities of AUSTI research, REC-BMARI ensures compliance with internationally and nationally accepted ethical guidelines and standards, including:

• The International Ethical Guidelines for Health-related Research Involving Humans of the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO);
• The WHO General Guidelines for Methodologies on Research and Evaluation of Traditional Medicine;
• The WHO Guidelines for the Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Herbal Medicines; and
• Relevant national ethical guidelines, including those issued by the Forum for Research Ethics Committees in Sri Lanka (FRECSL).

Through adherence to these standards, REC-BMARI upholds the integrity, scientific validity, and ethical soundness of research conducted within the traditional medical sector.

Recognition – REC-BMARI is formally registered with the Forum for Research Ethics Committees in Sri Lanka (FRECSL) and recognized by the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka.