A group of 22 undergraduate medical students from the MBBS program of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University participated in an interactive field practicum titled “Introduction to Sarvodaya Movement’s Community Development Practice” at the Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning on 6 March 2026. The session provided students with an opportunity to explore community-centered approaches to public health and social development in Sri Lanka.

Adding further academic value to the program, Dr. A. Balasuriya, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, also joined the session, encouraging students to view community health not only from a clinical perspective but also through a broader social and developmental lens.

The program was designed to help students understand community-level health challenges, examine services available to support communities, and actively engage in health promotion concepts through practical exposure. The session was facilitated by the Sarvodaya Institute of Higher Learning.

The morning began with a presentation by Dr Vinya Ariyaratne, who introduced students to the public health landscape of Sri Lanka and highlighted Sarvodaya’s longstanding contributions to community health and development. His presentation emphasized the importance of grassroots participation, community empowerment, and integrated approaches to health promotion.

This was followed by an overview of Sarvodaya’s community development model by Damith Kulanayake, Executive Director of the Sarvodaya Movement. His session explored how the Sarvodaya philosophy translates into practical community-based initiatives that address social, economic, and health-related challenges.

Following the introductory sessions, students participated in immersive unit visits across the Sarvodaya premises. These included the Field Operations Division with Indunil Hiththatiya, the Suwasetha Nutrition Centre led by Sandun Ariyaratne, and a guided visit to Vishva Niketan facilitated by Dr Charika Marasinghe.

These visits allowed students to observe how Sarvodaya’s programs address nutrition, community mobilization, and social development through integrated and sustainable interventions.

The program concluded with a rapid wrap-up and feedback session, where students reflected on their learning experiences and the importance of community engagement in advancing public health outcomes.

This interactive practicum highlighted the value of bridging academic learning with real-world community development practices, inspiring future medical professionals to appreciate the critical role of community-based approaches in improving health and well-being.