Sri Lanka has a long history of traditional medicine, said to go back to King Ravana. The first ancient hospital in the world was built in Mihintale over 2,000 years ago and included surgical tools. Sri Lanka's environment—like its clean air, forests, and herbs—supports its rich medical tradition. Ancient kings like King Buddhadasa were known physicians and wrote medical texts, such as Sarartha Sangrahaya. Traditional medicine in Sri Lanka is part of everyday life, food, culture, and religion. The country uses a mix of systems: Ayurveda, Deshiya Chikitsa, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy. The Ayurveda Act No. 31 of 1961 formalized this integration, leading to the creation of a separate Ministry of Indigenous Medicine in the 1980s. The Department of Ayurveda, under the Ministry of Health, oversees both national and provincial bodies. It regulates practitioners, supports research, and promotes preventive and promotional health services. Patients are encouraged to choose the medical system that best meets their needs, reflecting a successful integration of traditional and modern healthcare.