Call for stronger regulation and development of homoeopathy in Sri Lanka

Health
By Editor_1

COLOMBO – A senior homoeopathic practitioner has urged the government to strengthen the administration and regulatory framework governing homoeopathy in Sri Lanka, including the appointment of a permanent registrar and experienced leadership to the Homoeopathic Medical Council.

In a memorandum to Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, Dr A. Shanthakumar, a consultant homoeopathic physician with more than 40 years of experience in the field, called for the effective implementation of the Homoeopathy Act, No. 10 of 2016 and a long-term national development plan for the sector.

Shanthakumar highlighted the disparity between Sri Lanka and India, noting that while India has developed an extensive network of homoeopathic medical colleges, postgraduate institutions, research centres and public healthcare services, Sri Lanka has yet to establish a single homoeopathic medical college.

He said earlier initiatives by the Homoeopathic Council, including proposals to establish a medical college, develop educational standards and strengthen professional regulation, were disrupted following the dissolution of the Council in 2009. The administration of homoeopathy subsequently remained under interim committees and registrars until the enactment of the 2016 Act.

The memorandum also raised concerns about appointments and administrative decisions made during the transitional period and called for all future appointments, registrations and regulatory decisions to strictly comply with the 2016 Act and relevant Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judgments.

Shanthakumar also called for the development of the National Homoeopathic Hospital into a fully functioning teaching and specialist hospital, arguing that its potential had not been fully realized due to shortcomings in leadership, hospital administration and long-term planning.

He further pointed to the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework covering education, registration, professional standards, ethics, continuing professional development, disciplinary procedures, institutional administration and quality assurance.

Among his key recommendations were the appointment of a permanent registrar, preferably a suitably qualified Sri Lanka Administrative Service officer, and experienced leadership to the Homoeopathic Medical Council. He proposed that the Council’s president preferably have at least 15 years of professional experience in homoeopathy.

He also proposed establishing a Government Adviser on Homoeopathy to provide expertise on education, regulation, research, hospital development, public healthcare services, international cooperation and long-term policy planning.

The proposed national development plan would include establishing Sri Lanka’s first homoeopathic medical college, upgrading the National Homoeopathic Hospital into a teaching and specialist institution, strengthening research and innovation, expanding postgraduate and continuing professional education, increasing homoeopathic services within the national healthcare system and promoting international academic and research cooperation.

Shanthakumar urged the Health Minister to intervene to strengthen the sector through improved governance, competent leadership, effective regulation and a clear national policy.

The letter in full:

31st July 2026

Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa
Hon. Minister of Health and Mass Media
Ministry of Health
Colombo.

Dear Hon. Minister,

Request for Strengthening the Administration of the Homoeopathic Medical Council and the Effective Implementation of the Homoeopathy Act, No. 10 of 2016

I respectfully submit this memorandum for your kind consideration regarding matters of national importance affecting the administration and future development of Homoeopathy in Sri Lanka.

Having devoted more than forty years to the practice, teaching, research, and advancement of Homoeopathy, I make this representation solely in the public interest and with the sincere objective of strengthening this valuable system of medicine for the benefit of the people of Sri Lanka.

Although the Homoeopathic legislation of Sri Lanka and India originated during approximately the same period, the progress achieved by the two countries has been remarkably different. India today has more than 265 Homoeopathic Medical Colleges, postgraduate institutions, research centres, national regulatory bodies, and a well-developed public healthcare service in Homoeopathy. In contrast, Sri Lanka has yet to establish even a single Homoeopathic Medical College. This disparity reflects the need for long-term policy direction, effective administration, and visionary leadership.

The Homoeopathic Council elected in 2006 consisted largely of experienced senior practitioners who commenced several important initiatives aimed at modernizing the profession. These included proposals for establishing a Homoeopathic Medical College, developing systematic educational standards, strengthening professional regulation, and improving institutional governance. Unfortunately, before these initiatives could be implemented, the Council was dissolved, bringing these development programs to an abrupt halt.

Following the dissolution of the duly elected Homoeopathic Council in 2009, while it was actively implementing important development programs, the administration of Homoeopathy remained under a succession of Interim Committees and Registrars until the enactment of the Homoeopathy Act, No. 10 of 2016. During this transitional period, significant administrative decisions, including the registration of Homoeopathic practitioners through powers exercised by the Interim Committees, became matters of legal controversy and professional concern. It has been argued that certain actions taken during this period were not fully consistent with the provisions of the then applicable Homoeopathic Act, No. 7 of 1970, and these matters subsequently became the subject of judicial proceedings.

Although the Homoeopathy Act, No. 10 of 2016 provides for the appointment of an Interim Council for a limited period of two years to facilitate the establishment of the new statutory framework, concerns were expressed within the profession regarding certain appointments and administrative decisions made during this period. The subsequent conduct of the Interim Council and its administrative actions gave rise to continuing disputes within the profession and further litigation. These experiences highlight the importance of ensuring that all future appointments are made transparently, strictly in accordance with the law, and with due regard to professional competence, integrity, and the long-term interests of Homoeopathy.

The development of the National Homoeopathic Hospital provides another important example of the need for merit-based appointments. At the time of its establishment, several highly qualified and experienced Homoeopathic practitioners were available for appointment to leadership positions. However, some of these individuals were overlooked, including one practitioner who is now making a significant contribution to the development of Homoeopathy in Canada. Instead, appointments were made of individuals with comparatively limited qualifications and without hospital administrative experience. The long-term consequences of those decisions continue to be reflected in the limited development of the institution, which has yet to realize its full potential as a national teaching and specialist Homoeopathic hospital.

Appointments to key institutions should always be based on merit, professional competence, administrative ability, and practical experience. The National Homoeopathic Hospital should have been developed into a fully functioning teaching and specialist hospital under experienced leadership. However, opportunities to achieve this objective were not fully realized, and the institution has remained considerably below its potential. The absence of experienced hospital administration and long-term development planning has significantly affected its progress.

Following the enactment of the Homoeopathy Act, No. 10 of 2016, several administrative decisions concerning the appointment of the Interim Council and subsequent registration of practitioners became the subject of legal proceedings. The judgments of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal have provided important guidance regarding the legality of certain actions taken during that period. It is therefore respectfully submitted that all future appointments, registrations, and administrative decisions should strictly comply with the provisions of the Homoeopathy Act, No. 10 of 2016, and the relevant judicial determinations.

As you are aware, no Act can function effectively without comprehensive regulations. Although certain regulations have been introduced, a complete regulatory framework governing education, registration, standards of professional practice, ethics, continuing professional development, disciplinary procedures, institutional administration, and quality assurance remains essential for the proper implementation of the Act.

It is also understood that the Homoeopathic Medical Council has been functioning with an Acting Registrar for an extended period and that a vacancy in the Council has remained unfilled. Permanent appointments made in accordance with the law are essential to ensure administrative stability, transparency, and public confidence.

To achieve the objectives of the Homoeopathy Act, No. 10 of 2016, and to ensure the systematic development of Homoeopathy in Sri Lanka, strong institutional leadership, sound administration, comprehensive regulations, and informed policy guidance are essential. I therefore respectfully submit the following recommendations for your kind consideration.

Recommendations

  1. Appoint a Permanent Registrar in accordance with the provisions of the Homoeopathy Act, No. 10 of 2016. The Registrar should preferably be a suitably qualified officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS), consistent with the long-established administrative practice of the Ministry of Health.
  2. Appoint experienced leadership to the Homoeopathic Medical Council. The President of the Council should preferably possess not less than fifteen years of professional experience in Homoeopathy so that the Council benefits from mature leadership while younger practitioners are encouraged and trained to become future leaders.
  3. Appoint a Government Adviser on Homoeopathy. Sri Lanka should establish the position of Government Adviser on Homoeopathy, similar to the system that has existed in India since the enactment of its Homoeopathic legislation. The Adviser should be a highly experienced Homoeopathic practitioner capable of advising the Government on education, professional regulation, research, hospital development, public health services, international collaboration, policy formulation, and long-term strategic planning. Such an appointment would ensure continuity in national policy and provide the vision required for the systematic development of Homoeopathy.
  4. Strengthen the Regulations under the Homoeopathy Act, No. 10 of 2016, to ensure effective implementation of the Act, transparent governance, high professional standards, quality education, ethical practice, accountability, and public confidence.
  5. Ensure that all appointments, registrations, and administrative decisions relating to the Homoeopathic Medical Council are made strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Homoeopathy Act, No. 10 of 2016, and the relevant judgments of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
  6. Prepare a National Development Plan for Homoeopathy, including:
  • Establishment of Sri Lanka’s first Homoeopathic Medical College.
  • Development of the National Homoeopathic Hospital into a teaching and specialist hospital.
  • Strengthening scientific research and innovation.
  • Development of postgraduate education and continuing professional development programs.
  • Expansion of Homoeopathic services within the national healthcare system.
  • Promotion of international academic and research collaboration.

Hon. Minister, Homoeopathy has served the people of Sri Lanka for many decades and possesses considerable potential to contribute further to the national healthcare system. With proper governance, competent leadership, sound administration, and a clear national policy, Sri Lanka can build a modern, scientifically progressive, and internationally respected Homoeopathic service.

I respectfully make this appeal because I have devoted my entire professional life to the advancement of Homoeopathy in Sri Lanka. I remain committed to assisting the Government in updating and upgrading the profession in collaboration with international experts while preserving its scientific principles and ensuring the highest standards of professional practice.

I humbly request your kind intervention to safeguard and strengthen this valuable system of medicine for the benefit of present and future generations.

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Dr A. Shanthakumar, PhD
Consultant Homoeopathic Physician
Registered No. HMC 161
President, Society of Homoeopaths, Sri Lanka
Deputy President, Lanka Homoeopathic Foundation
National Vice President, Asian Homoeopathic Medical League
National Vice President, International Homoeopathic Medical League
Co-ordinator, International Academy of Classical Homoeopathy
Secretary, International Centre for Learning and Research in Molecular Imprinted Drugs (ICLRMID)

-ENCL

Editor_1
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