AYURVEDA MEDICAL COUNCIL

AYURVEDA MEDICAL COUNCIL

This is constituted under section II (I) of Ayurveda Act No. 31 of 1961 as amended by Ayurveda (Amendment) Law No. 7 of 1977. The Act provides for a Council of a maximum of 18 members consisting of ex-officio president of the Council. The Registrar who also functions as the Secretary to the Council is appointed by the Council itself.The Ayurvedic Medical Council is the authority responsible for

(a) Recommending to the Minister whether any Ayurvedic teaching Institution should be approved by him for the purpose of the Ayurveda Act,

(b) Registration of Ayurveda practitioners, pharmacists and nurses and the cancellation or suspension of such registration,

(c) Making rules for the regulation and control of professional conduct of Ayurvedic practitioners, pharmacists and nurses.

The members for the time being of the Council form a body corporate with the name of “The Ayurvedic Medical Council”. The Council has perpetual succession and the right to sue and be sued. It may acquire and hold any movable or immovable property and enter into contracts.Of the functions assigned to the Council, the most important is the registration of Ayurvedic practitioners. The Ayurveda Act. No. 31 of 1961 provides that only a registered Ayurveda practitioner is entitled to use the title “Vaidyacharya” (physician) and only such a practitioner is legally or duly qualified to practice Ayurvedic medicine. Any person who, not being a registered Ayurvedic practitioner, practices for gain Ayurvedic medicine shall be guilty of an offence.

Vision

Make Ayurvedic Medical Council the Apex body of Ayurveda in Sri Lanka equipped with all required facilities

Mission

Protect the legal foundation necessary for qualitative development of the Ayurvedic field, providing maximum service to the public through Ayurveda under professional ethics

Purpose

Confer the legal authority on professionals who have the knowledge, attitudes, skills and experience necessary to provide qualitative services in the field Ayurveda in accordance with provisions of the Ayurveda Act No.31 of 1961

Objectives

1. Continue in force as a Body of Persons established in accordance with the provisions of the Ayurveda Act
2. Confer the authority to determine the professional competency in the field of Ayurveda and to engage in the profession.
3. Maintain the quality of professional conduct which is necessary to fulfill Ayurveda services and to maintain the required social response.
4. Provide necessary facilities to fulfill the measures consistent with above objectives and to constitute the institutional structure duly.
5. Provide Mobile Services at District level through ‘Hela Veda Ruwanara IV’ programme.
6. Conduct awareness programmes for professionals and institutions relevant to the field of Ayurveda
7. Implement programmes in regard to current issues and for the promotion and development of the field of Ayurveda

Introduction

Indigenous Medical Board established in 1928 on a recommendation made by a Sub Committee of the state Council of 1927 was the first legally authorized establishment in the Sri Lankan Ayurvedic field. Subsequently the Ayurvedic Medical Council was established in terms of the Ceylon Ayuveda Medical Council Ordinance No. 46 of 1935 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 how is an organization established under the Ayurveda Act No.31 of 1961. In terms of Section (I) of Part III therein, this council comprise the following.

Commission of Ayurveda.

Director of the Indigenous Institute of Medicine, Colombo .

Two member selected from among the teachers of the Indigenous Institute of Medicine in Colombo by teachers of the institute.

One member selected from among the teachers of each approved Ayurvedic Educational Institute by such teachers.

There members selected by registered Ayurveda physicians from among them

Number of persons not exceeding ten in number appointed by the Minister ad follows

• Not more than three members from persons who are not registered Ayurveda physicians
• Three persons to be appointed from among 10 persons nominated by the All Ceylon Ayurveda Physicians Federation
• At least two persons from among the Ayurvedic physicians who are registered but not members of the All Ceylon Ayurvedic Physicians Federation

In terms of Section II(i) of the Ayurveda Act No. 31 of 1961 the Ayurveda Medical Council in empowered to

To make recommendations to the Minister as to whether any institute of teaching Ayurveda should be approved by the Minister for the purposes of the Act,

To register names of persons as Ayurveda Practitioners,

To register names of persons as Ayurveda Dispensers,

To register names of persons as Ayurveda Nurses,