He stated that he aimed to develop the policy and called on all stakeholders to submit their proposals.

A spokesperson for the Health Ministry reported that during a meeting with the Government Ayurveda Medical Officers Association (GAMOA), Dr. Jayatissa acknowledged that both Western medical practitioners and Ayurvedic doctors contribute to public healthcare services. The Minister also highlighted the need to appoint a formal committee to revise the Ayurveda Act of Sri Lanka (No. 31 of 1961) and the Ayurveda Code for Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery. He stressed the importance of establishing a mechanism to address challenges and restore the organisational structure. Additionally, he took steps to provide swift solutions to the professional demands of Ayurvedic medical officers that could be resolved immediately.

The spokesperson further stated that the Minister had discussed GAMOA’s key demands, which included the establishment of an ‘Ayurvedic Medical Service Act,’ the formal integration of indigenous medicine into the National Health Policy, amendments to the Ayurveda Act and the Ayurveda Code, the development of the Ayurvedic Community Health Service for primary healthcare, employment opportunities for unemployed graduate Ayurvedic medical officers, access to entitlements under health circulars, and the restoration of the Ayurvedic Department’s organisational structure.

It was also revealed that 2,800 graduate Ayurvedic medical officers are currently employed in the state sector. To provide prompt solutions to their concerns, the Minister sought the views and suggestions of Ayurvedic Department representatives, including Ayurvedic Commissioner Dr. Dhammika Gunawardena, who attended the meeting. (DJ)