The Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning hosted a one-day field practicum on 7th November 2025 for 53 nursing students and two staff members from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The program aimed to introduce students to Sarvodaya’s community development approach and its strong links to public health in Sri Lanka.

The day began with an insightful session by Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Honorary President of the Sarvodaya Movement, who outlined Sri Lanka’s public health system and Sarvodaya’s long-standing contributions to improving community wellbeing. This was followed by Executive Director Mr. Damith Kulanayake’s presentation on Sarvodaya’s community development practices, highlighting the organization’s holistic and people-centered model.

Students were then divided into two groups for immersive unit visits. They explored key divisions including the Suwasetha Nutrition Centre, Field Operation Division, Planetary Health Unit, SDG Academy and the Early Childhood Development Unit. These visits offered students first-hand exposure to how Sarvodaya integrates nutrition, environmental health, child development and field operations into its service model.

In the afternoon, participants visited Vishva Niketan under the guidance of Dr. Charika Marasinghe. This experience provided an introduction to inner development and wellbeing practices that complement professional healthcare training.

Overall, the program offered nursing students a meaningful opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world community engagement, deepening their understanding of public health, grassroots development and holistic wellbeing.