History Health in Sri Lanka

the sinhalese medical tradition records pre historic era. besides number of medical discoveries being acknowledged western medicine, ancient sinhalese believed responsible introducing concept of hospitals world. according mahawansa, ancient chronicle of sinhalese royalty. king pandukabhaya had lying-in-homes , hospitals (sivikasotthi-sala) built in various parts of country after having fortified capital @ anuradhapura in 4th century bce. ruins of hospital in mihintale built king sena ii (851-885 a.c.) dates 9th century has been discovered , considered 1 of worlds oldest hospitals. several sinhalese kings ancient sri lanka known practitioners of medicine, king buddhadasa (340–368 ac) said adept in general medicine, surgery, midwifery , veterinary medicine , known surgical operation on outcaste (chandala) woman in order deliver child , surgical removal of lump in belly of snake. sarartha sangraha , comprehensive medical treatise in sanskrit, attributed king buddhadasa. king aggabodhi vii (766–772 a.c.) known medical research , according culavamsa, king studied medicinal plants on entire island of lanka ascertain whether wholesome or harmful sick. excavations of ruins of ancient hospitals have uncovered several surgical instruments forceps, scalpels , scissors spoons believed used mix or administer medicine.

the hospitals in ancient sri lanka had toilets , baths attached living quarters. hospitals had been designed ventilation , free circulation of air due 2 open courts in addition windows indicates psychological aspects of therapeutics understood medical practitioners.