Being located in the historic ancient Rajarata Kingdom in the dry zone of the island with a high prevalence of tropical diseases, the Department of Parasitology is deeply dedicated to providing medical undergraduates with sound knowledge, skills and attitudes on tropical diseases. Further, the department is actively engaged in the pursuit of knowledge on tropical diseases of regional and national significance through innovative research. In addition, the department offers diagnostic services, related to tropical diseases, to support the healthcare system. Novel and innovative approaches towards the development of affordable diagnostics for tropical diseases are also a key focus for the department.
The key areas under the purview of the department in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as well as research include medical protozoology, helminthology, entomology, and toxinology. The Department of Parasitology has its own departmental space with fully equipped laboratories for students, and diagnostic and research laboratories situated within the para-clinical building complex. In addition, the department maintains an animal house to facilitate laboratory animal research. Currently, the faculty multi-disciplinary laboratory for medical students is also maintained by the department.
