Overview 

The University of Sri Jayewardenepura is one of the pioneer universities in Sri Lanka started as a higher education institution for Buddhists priests (Vidyodaya Pirivena). It was bestowed the University status in 1959. Initially, the University was restricted to male students and Buddhists monks with only five faculties as Buddhist Studies, Philosophy, Languages, Arts and Ayurveda and Science. The university was shifted to the current location in 1961 and was opened for female students since 1966. 

The present designation of ‘University of Sri Jayewardenepura’ was assigned to the institution in 1978. Since then it has been ever expanding its service to the country while maintaining or enhancing the quality. 

School Profile 

The University of Sri Jayewardenepura situated in the heart of Colombo boasts of a long and glorious history. Having been established in the 1959 at Gangodawila, its roots can be traced back to the Vidyodaya Pirivena established in 1873 by Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thero at Maligakanda. Today the University pays homage to 60 years of history while paying tribute to journey of 145 years. The University of Sri Jayewardenepura formerly known as Vidyodaya Pirivena was the essence of the revival of Sri Lankan Education. 

It is the second oldest University in Sri Lanka and the first University established in Independent Ceylon. Today the University stands strong with eight faculties, faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Technology and its latest addition Faculty of Allied Health Sciences. The University is home to over 12,000 Undergraduates, over 1000 postgraduate students. It is considered the largest University in terms of Student Population in Sri Lanka. 

The University is also in the forefront of research and innovation with a research council of over 20 research centres and an Invention, Innovation and Venture Creation Council with over 50 Entrepreneurs and stakeholders with over 15 patents. The University has also maintained cordial relationship with many international bodies of education and have signed over 60 MoUs with recognized internationally acclaimed universities; and over 60 MoUs with established international and local companies, the university strives to give its students an international experience, offering student exchange programmes and internships. 

Throughout the years the University of Sri Jayewardenepura has managed to develop in many areas expanding its horizons and will continue this journey reaching many milestones that will no doubt ensure that the University will produce smart, efficient, skillful and professional individuals that will aid in the development of our mother nation. 

Vision:  Prosper Lives through Education. 

Mission: To be a center of academic and professional excellence in providing highest quality human resources, services and conducting the highest quality research on health care and to disseminate knowledge on health. 

Goals: To produce medical graduates and graduates of allied health sciences who are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide health care services in any part of Sri Lanka. 

History: When the 'Vidyodaya Pirivena' was inaugurated by Sir Oliver Goonetilleke the Governor-General of Ceylon on 16th February 1959, he was confident that 'this seat of oriental learning inheriting the rich academic traditions of eighty six years' would become an institution of highest standards in the country. 

True to his vision, more than fifty years later, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura has grown and consolidated a place as a premier tertiary education institute of the country. Continuing in its traditional roots, the University is committed to the pursuit and transmission of knowledge through teaching, scholarship and research and active service to the community in an environment which values creativity, freedom of intellectual thought and expression, equal opportunity, fairness and professional growth. 

This growth is evident not only in infrastructure, resources and faculty but also in the diversity of study courses and study programmes offered by the University. The faculty of Medical Sciences, the youngest faculty in the University has achieved a phenomenal growth in a very short time offering study programmes; Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Bachelor of Nursing (B.Sc. in Nursing), Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Sciences), Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharmacy) and Bachelor of Human Biology (B.Sc. in Human Biology). 

Since its inception in 1993, the Faculty has progressed to one of the most sought after Faculties in the country with its students obtaining high ranking positions. The National Quality Assurance Committee appointed by the University Grants Commission in 2011 has awarded the University the status of excellence. 

Dean's Message 

Our affiliated teaching hospitals, Colombo South Teaching Hospital and the Sri Jayewardenepura Teaching Hospital, are considered as main tertiary referral centres in the island. These hospitals are well equipped with modern state-of-the-art technology and with a high patient enrolment these two institutions provide both undergraduate and postgraduate students a truly world class patient centered learning environment. 

The Faculty offers an extensive training programme in Family Medicine conducted at the modern Family Practice Centre, the first of such programs initiated in Sri Lanka for training of family physicians. Our faculty is dedicated to providing a world-class education. Our flexible modular based curriculum is designed to facilitate students to excel according to their individual learning styles by providing a platform for learner and student centric experience. 

In our constant effort to enhance student and staff friendly teaching and learning experiences, the department of medical education regularly evaluates our teaching programmes and curricular designed with much emphasis on staff and student feedback. We invite foreign students to join our excellent elective program and to enjoy our Sri Lankan hospitality; learn medicine in a tropical environment and read excellent reviews written by previous students. 

With many opportunities for basic and clinical research, the Faculty of Medical Sciences provides a worthy research environment for faculty members and students while developing capacity of future medical graduates. Research and development in the faculty addresses national priorities and current global issues seeking to produce high impact, constantly relevant and internationally recognised research by close collaboration with key international research groups and laboratories. Several such ongoing programmes are well established and we constantly seek research links to extend our global reach. 

Established in 1993, the Faculty of Medical Sciences is one of the five faculties in the largest University in Sri Lanka in terms of student numbers. Our University has ample space, is easily reachable, and has excellent facilities for educational and extracurricular activities with extensive infrastructure development programmes underway. We warmly welcome you to the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.