To commemorate the 7th Ayurveda Day, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center, the cultural arm of the High Commission of India, Colombo, organized a special exhibition on the theme  “Ayurveda Everyday, Ayurveda Everywhere” for Sri Lanka Police Force on 22nd October, 2022.

The key objective of the exhibition was to spread awareness about Ayurveda for better health and living.

The Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Shri Vinod K. Jacob was the Chief Guest at the exhibition. Conveying his greetings on Dhanteras and Deepavali, the Acting High Commissioner highlighted the significance of Ayurveda as a holistic system of medicine, which promotes harmony of the body and the environment.

SSP Athula Amarasinghe, the Deputy Director of National Police Academy of Sri Lanka, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Dr. Pathirage Kamal Perera, Professor in Ayurveda Medicine and Consultant Physician, Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, attended the event as the subject matter expert. Noting the role of diet, herbs, and spices in Ayurvedic treatment, he highlighted that the western medicinal science, including the World Health Organization (WHO), is increasingly taking interest in Ayurveda to promote a holistic lifestyle. Distinguished Ayurveda experts, Ms. Ruvi Rodrigio and Dr. Amila Wickramasinghe explained the various exhibits that were displayed during the exhibition. About 50 participants from Sri Lanka Police force attended the exhibition.

Ayurveda day is celebrated every year on Dhanvantari Jayanti (Dhanteras), to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanvantari, who is referred to as the ‘God of Ayurveda’ in Sushruta Samhita, an ancient Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery. Dhanvantari Jayanti is also first of the five days celebration of Deepavali, the festival of light.

The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) of the Government of India and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine have undertaken a number of initiatives for promotion of indigenous alternative medicine systems. After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, both the Ministries released guidelines that promote good health and hygiene as well as boost immunity to help combat the Coronavirus.