Page 100 - Traditional Medicine Systems of BIMSTEC Member States – 2023 Report

Table 1: Population of Sri Lanka by Province

% of the % of the
Population Population
Province Population total population 60
in 1000’s density
population years and over

Western Province 6129.0 28.3 1705.8 13.4
Central Province 2750.0 12.7 493.3 12.8

Southern Province 2637.0 12.2 472.3 14.0
Northern Province 1131.0 5.2 136.4 11.8

Eastern Province 1710.0 7.9 182.7 7.8
North Western Province 2536.0 11.7 337.9 12.2

North Central Province 1366.0 6.3 140.2 9.4
Uva Province 1364.0 6.3 163.6 10.8

Sabaragamuwa 2047.0 9.4 416.0 13.8
Sri Lanka 2 1670.0 100.0 345.6 12.4

Source: Department of Census and Statistics, 2020

3. National Regulatory Authorities of Traditional Medicine

Law Nos, 7 of 1977 Act Nos, 31 0f 1961 Ayurveda Act is an act to provide

for the establishment of a department of Ayurveda; for the registration of Ayurveda
hospitals, ayurveda pharmacies, ayurveda dispensaries, and Ayurveda stores as well as

the department of Ayurveda is the National Implementation Agency for TM. In accordance
with the Ayurveda Act, there are 3 regulatory authority bodies in Sri Lanka.

I. Ayurveda Medical Council
II. Ayurveda Education and Hospital Board

III. Ayurveda Research Committee

Ayurveda Medical Council

Indigenous Medical Board established in 1928 on a recommendation made by

a Sub Committee of the State Council of 1927 was the first legally authorised establishment
in the Sri Lankan Ayurveda field. Subsequently, the Ayurveda Medical Council was

established in terms of the Ceylon Ayurveda Medical Council Ordinance No.46 of 1935
and was re-established under the provision of the Indigenous Medical Council Ordinance

No. 17 of 1941 (amended by No 49 of 1945 and No. 49 of 1949) The Ayurveda
Medical Council functioning now as an organisation established under the Ayurveda Act Sri Lanka

No.31 of 1961.

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